February 26, 2014
England

More wind turbine plans get residents ready for fight

Market Rasen Mail | 26 February 2014 | www.marketrasenmail.co.uk

Turbine proposals on the edge of a Wolds village will kill off wildlife and destroy a memorial park dedicated to members of Bomber Command.

That is the opinion of resident Ray Whiteley who has vowed to fight plans submitted for two wind turbines at Brookenby.

“This is a special and magnificent place within an area of outstanding natural beauty and must be protected at all costs,” he said.

And Mr Whiteley is not alone in his strong feelings against the plans.

“I have had loads of people at my gate voicing their concerns and have even had some elderly ladies saying they would happily do sit down protests,” he added.

The height of the proposed turbines, submitted as individual turbines on two applications, would be 67 metres, almost 50 metres taller than the nearby hangars on the former RAF airfield.

“This is one of the highest points in the Wolds,” said Mr Whiteley.

“You would easily be able to see them from the Yorkshire Wolds and from as far away as Scarborough on a clear day.”

There are also concerns about height in relation to air traffic.

“The proposed site is on the flight path for air traffic to Humberside airport,” added fellow Brookenby resident Trevor Brow.

“There are also the noise and visual issues. And as our MP Edward Leigh said in a recent speech, the plans shouldn’t be approved if they are against the wishes of the local people.”

Ray Whiteley has submitted a nine-page letter of objection to planners at West Lindsey for the turbine applications submitted by landowner Melvyn Cross through his agents Life Long Energy.

In it he says: “There will be a major impact on the AONB and it will destroy the peaceful, reflective solitude of the Bomber Command Memorial Park, our magnificent views across to the Yorkshire Wolds, the Humber estuary and our wonderful dark night skies.”

And Mr Whiteley goes on to list the vast range of wildlife the area features, including a breeding ground for brown hares and an array of birds.

“We have at least three known protected species and possibly more – Bee Orchids, Roman snails and natterjack toads,” he added.

“We really need an environmental study to be done.”

And Mr Whiteley’s other major concern is the memorial park, within feet of the proposed turbines.

“The noise, strobe effect and wind turbulence created by the turbines would be hazardous and the total loss of amenity to our visitors would be indescribable.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/02/26/more-wind-turbine-plans-get-residents-ready-for-fight/