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Wolds wind turbines: Tiny Cottam’s David v Goliath battle with RWE
Credit: By Hull Daily Mail | Posted: December 16, 2013 | www.hulldailymail.co.uk ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
They live is the smallest parish in the East Riding, tucked away high on the Yorkshire Wolds. But residents of the 26 homes that make up the tiny parish of Cottam are gearing themselves up to fight plans to construct one of the biggest wind farms in the county on their picturesque doorsteps.
Energy firm RWE has now confirmed it wants to build up to ten turbines on one of the highest points of the Wolds.
The site at Cottam is a former airfield almost four miles north-west of Driffield.
If given the go-ahead, each turbine would be 116m tall.
But Cottam resident Tim Genn said: “This is the heart of the Wolds and at its highest point.
“The landscape around the development site is exceptional and unspoilt.”
He said the proposed turbines are earmarked for a site close to a ruined church, which is the only standing structure from a deserted medieval village.
“The site of the deserted village is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which only makes the landscape of the area even more special.”
Mr Genn is concerned about the development site being crossed by a number of number of well-used footpaths and bridleways.
He said: “These routes provide immense recreational and amenity opportunities for the community yet they are talking about building a huge wind farm second only in size to the one in Lissett, which has 11 turbines.”
Now, he is urging people to have their say in a consultation ahead of a formal planning application.
“RWE is claiming to seek the views of the public in its consultation exercise but did not make any mention in its leaflet posted to homes in the area of the scale and magnitude of the proposed wind farm,” said Mr Genn.
“People have been left in the dark about what they have been consulted on and I am trying to raise awareness so the communities who live in the area can have their say on RWE’s website.”
The deadline for people to submit their views on the RWE website is Monday, January 6.
RWE: Wind power crucial to UK energy
ENERGY firm RWE believes the proposed site is Cottam is suitable for a large-scale wind farm.
It said: “As a responsible developer, we are undertaking a number of studies to determine whether the site is suitable for a wind farm. So far, our studies have shown that Cottam Airfield has the potential for a wind farm development.
“For the proposed Cottam Airfield wind farm, we plan to install up to ten turbines, each up to 116m from base to tip and each with the capacity to produce between 1.8 and 3MW of electricity.
“Cottam Airfield wind farm has the potential to make an important contribution towards tackling climate change and helping the UK meet its renewable energy targets. The wind farm could also help increase the security of the UK’s energy supply by making the UK less dependent on expensive, imported fossil fuels.”
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