December 16, 2013
England

Wind farm fears

Burnley Express | 16 December 2013 | www.burnleyexpress.net

Residents have voiced their opposition to plans for a wind farm with turbines measuring 126m high on the border of Worsthorne and Briercliffe.

Proposals have been drawn up to put three turbines on Delf Hill, close to Sweet Well Farm.

The development is being proposed by Rural Wind Farms Ltd, a company that specialises in working with farmers and landowners to develop wind projects.

But people living nearby said the development, if it goes ahead, would blight the landscape and could open the door for other similar projects in the area.

The company held a public meeting for residents to look at the proposals although no planning application has yet been submitted to Burnley Borough Council.

Mr Trevor Rushton (80), who lives at Bottin, near the proposed site, said: “I’m absolutely opposed to it. It seems to be a blight that is spreading insidiously right across the countryside.

“From our houses here we can already see 20 windmills. They are appearing out of nowhere.

“My concern is for the people that are going to have their enjoyment of the landscape taken away.”

Resident Mr Mark Jinkinson, who also lives near the proposed site, added: “I have grave concerns about this but I need to wait until the full application goes in.”

The turbines would be based around the working quarry.

According to the proposals, the turbine components would arrive from the M65, most likely at junction 12, past Burnley General Hospital and then keep to the east of Burnley, arriving in Worsthorne via Brownside Road.

From Worsthorne they would head north towards the site, passing Bottin Farms and High Halstead.

According to documents prepared by the applicants:

“The turbine would be of a modern, quiet design, as unlike older turbines it has no gearbox, which makes it quieter.

“It is proposed that the finish of the wind turbines, towers and blades should be semi-matt and a pale grey in colour.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/16/wind-farm-fears-3/