October 4, 2013
England

Windfarm causing TV misery for nearby residents

Northumberland Gazette | 04 October 2013 | www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk

A 18-turbine windfarm is affecting the lives of residents in a nearby hamlet by scrambling their television channels, it has been claimed.

Frank Henderson, of The Forge, North Charlton, has struggled to watch some of his favourite programmes since the blades started turning at Middlemoor in the spring.

He says that the 125-metre-to-blade-tip structures interfere with channels on Freeview, including BBC and ITV.

“This has happened ever since the turbines began operating,” said Mr Henderson, who lives about a quarter-of-a-mile away.

“We have got Sky in one room and that is okay, but it is affecting the televisions in the other three rooms which have got Freeview.

“We cannot get BBC at all and programmes on ITV are almost non-existent and the picture keeps jumping around.

“Other people in North Charlton are also being affected like this.”

Mr Henderson said he has contacted Northumberland County Council about the issue but is still waiting for answers.

In 2008, RWE npower renewables was given permission by the Planning Inspectorate to build the structures.

A county council spokeswoman said: “We have received one complaint from a resident about their TV reception which we have passed to the operator of the turbines who will investigate.

“We understand that other residents have approached the operator directly with their complaints. We have spoken to the operator and they have been liaising with the parish council at North Charlton to establish where problems exist and prioritising the work required.

“The work is due to start within the next week.”

The Gazette contacted RWE for a comment, but did not receive one before going to press.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/04/windfarm-causing-tv-misery-for-nearby-residents/