April 11, 2013
England

North Yorkshire wind farm plan ‘decimate’ villages

BBC News | 10 April 2013 | www.bbc.co.uk

Campaigners say a plan for a 14-turbine windfarm near Selby in North Yorkshire will “decimate” villages.

Developer Prowind wants to build the 125m (410ft) high turbines on land close to the villages of Birkin, Gateforth and West Haddlesey.

Planning officers at Selby council have recommended the application is rejected at a meeting a 16:00 BST.

Prowind said it would work with the community and the council on any issues that arose.

The proposed turbines on Wood Lane, Birkin, would stretch for two miles across open countryside.

They would be capable of generating 35 megawatts of energy, enough to provide electricity for 21,000 homes.

Aircraft risk

Resident Sue Kemmery said the sight and noise of the turbines would have a huge impact.

“The turbines would decimate the villages.

“In Gateforth you will be able to see them from virtually any part of the village, you will be able to hear them, particularly at night.”

Howard Ferguson, chairman of an action group opposing the plan, said: “This windfarm places so many turbines so close to homes. One home has 13 turbines within 2kms (1.2 miles), which is just unacceptable.”

A report to the planning committee has recommended the plan be refused on grounds including unacceptable noise levels at a property in Birkin and another in West Haddlesey.

It also states the applicant did not provide enough evidence to satisfy the council with regards to the scheme’s visual impact, construction noise and risk to air traffic control services to aircraft using Robin Hood Airport.

Keith Brooks, managing director of Prowind UK, said he understood residents’ concerns but added: “We have had professionals carry out an assessment of the landscape and they feel it would be a suitable location.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/11/north-yorkshire-wind-farm-plan-decimate-villages/