November 21, 2013
England

Noise row over turbine plan

By Martin Neville | Isle of Wight County Press | November 20, 2013 | iwcp.co.uk

Two giant 125 metre tall wind turbines, planned for the edge of Parkhurst Forest, would breach government noise limits according to Isle of Wight objectors.

Pressure group ThWART (The Wight Against Rural Turbines) has lodged an objection against the wind energy scheme proposed by Partnerships for Renewables (PfR).

Using data recorded on site by PfR, ThWART said its acoustics consultant, Dr John Yelland, had calculated the government turbine noise limit of five decibels above background noise level would be exceeded by a further six decibels – to an unacceptable 11 decibels for residents at two nearby houses.

The limit would also be exceeded at several other homes and a camp site in the forest, according to the objection, however PfR has disputed the claims.

ThWART said PfR had already been forced to move one of the locations further from the nearest home and carry out a second background noise survey, after an earlier study by its own acoustics consultants was challenged by the group.

Chairman Malcolm Peplow said: “PfR’s proposal at Parkhurst is unsustainable in planning terms because the turbines are out of scale with their surroundings, including neighbouring homes, are too massive, too high and will cause harm to the amenity of local residents and visitors to the forest.

“The developer has made no attempt to consider alternative renewable energy technologies for the site.”

He said the group supported objections raised by the AONB Partnership and concerns the wind turbines could have a harmful effect on rare species of bat in the forest.

PfR said it had submitted a detailed noise impact assessment report carried out by Hoare Lea Acoustics, a consultancy with substantial experience in assessing potential noise effects of onshore wind turbines.

It said: “The findings of their report demonstrate the proposed development would be fully compliant with the government’s guidelines.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/21/noise-row-over-turbine-plan/