February 11, 2014
England

Over 100 angry residents fighting plans to erect Kingsley Holt wind turbine

By EMMA DAVIES | The Sentinel | February 10, 2014 | www.stokesentinel.co.uk

Dozens of families are fighting plans for a wind turbine between two villages.

At a packed out public meeting, residents set about making a plan to block the proposal to install the structure at High View Farm, Holt Lane, only 200 metres from the villages of Kingsley Holt and Kingsley.

Parish councillor Ken Unwin set up the meeting at Kingsley Holt Chapel after being given just 15 days to respond.

The resident, of Shawe Park Road, Kingsley Holt, said: “We had a really brilliant response. The difficulty is that by the time we were informed. we only had 15 days to raise awareness.

“It is a big issue and fortunately we had 130 people attend. It was quite a significant turnout.

“It is a troublesome issue and a lot of local families are not happy with it. Most sensible people are ok with renewable energy, but this is just not appropriate.

“It is an industrial sized generator, 112 feet high, that will dominate everyone’s lives for the next 25 years.

“The nearest houses are about 250 metres from the proposed site.

“We live in a nice little village in the hills that is pretty quiet, and we don’t want that taken away, but the main point is the visual impact it will have on the area.

“I hope local people will strongly oppose the proposal by writing to the SMDC Planning Officer outlining their genuine concerns.”

A design and access statement submitted to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council on behalf of the applicants Urban Wind Ltd states that the turbine would be 34.4 metres (112 feet) in height.

It would be erected in an agricultural field, and the statement adds that the site is covered by a Special Landscape Area designation.

David Stevenson, of Churnet Valley Road, sent a letter officially objecting to the plans.

He said: “The proposed wind turbine is situated close to a primary school, and recent studies have proved that some children would be susceptible to certain noise frequencies which could impact their natural development.

“There is a large Rookery situated in the trees to the east side of the field, which will impact habitats of both birds and bats.

“Recent studies have shown that ice can form on the blades of the turbine which can be ejected up to 500m in distance, which could be fatal to local residents.”

The parish council will meet on Tuesday to make a decision and a recommendation that will be put before Staffordshire Moorland District Council’s planning committee at a later date.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application should write to the planning office at the district council by this Thursday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/02/11/over-100-angry-residents-fighting-plans-to-erect-kingsley-holt-wind-turbine/