August 29, 2013
England

Guisborough wind farm row blows on after consultation

By Mike Morgan | Gazette Live | 29 August 2013 | www.gazettelive.co.uk

Protesters say the vast majority of people are “vehemently opposed” to the five-turbine wind farm on land off Wilton Lane, Guisborough, including 430ft turbines.

The comments came after developer Banks Renewables held further consultations to gauge opinion on the controversial development.

Campaign group Fight In Guisborough To Halt Turbines (Fight) has been set up to oppose the plans and has carried out several polls in the town’s Westgate.

Fight group spokesman Peter Berry said: “Banks are carrying out the requirements of the planning process likely to start later this year. What they are not doing is consulting with the residents of and visitors to Guisborough.

“Possible benefits to the area are not guaranteed and are transitory compared to the effects on tourism and house prices caused by these enormous structures.

“The site has been identified as ‘most suitable’ by Banks Renewables with the agreement of Gisborough Estate, both of whom stand to make enormous profits.

“We agree renewable energy is a necessity, but inefficient onshore wind farms are not the answer.”

The key environmental make-up of the site was highlighted at a second special open workshop.

The firm has collected information from the site as part of the planning application process.

In May, Banks held a day-long event to outline what’s been learned from ecological data gathered at the site so far.

Now local organisations have attended a follow-up event including Tees Valley Wildlife Trust (TVWT) and Teesmouth Bird Group.

TVWT chief executive Jeremy Garside said: “Opening up the ecological assessment process to local interest groups and residents has helped provide a wider understanding of information gathered from the site.”

Developers claim the scheme would also bring other benefits to the area, including around 40 new jobs during construction of the project, commercial opportunities for local businesses worth about £3m and substantial funding for community and environmental projects.

Phil Dyke, Banks Renewables development director, said: “Design work is continuing on the scheme and we’ve been encouraged by the positive feedback received so far about our plans from many local people.”

Anyone wanting more details on the proposed Bank Field scheme can contact the Banks Renewables community engagement team on 0844 209 1515.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/29/guisborough-wind-farm-row-blows-on-after-consultation/