May 31, 2014
England

Residents say ‘tide is turning’ in battle over wind farms in East Lindsey

Grimsby Telegraph | May 31, 2014 | www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Angry residents say the tide is “beginning to turn” in the fight against wind turbines in East Lindsey.

Forty-two wind farms have already been constructed in the district, while 20 more are currently being planned.

Another 43 on top of that are in scoping or screening, 24 are at the appeal stage, nine have been refused, 13 have been approved while ten have been withdrawn.

This means that there are a total of 161 wind farms, wind farm applications or wind farm appeals.

This includes eight proposed new turbines between Tetney and Humberston, which are currently being appealed.

A significant number of residents have opposed the plans, which they say will ruin the Lincolnshire countryside.

Melvin Grosvenor, of the Marsh Windfarm Action Group (MWAG), hosted a public event on Thursday in Fulstow.

He said: “As you can see from our displays here, the turbines will be clearly visible from all around the region – even the ones that are offshore.

“Whatever people say, they are going to have an impact, especially on Fulstow. Without a shadow of a doubt we are looking at a wind turbine landscape.

“What we are saying as a group is that this is happening, and residents need to be made aware of it. It is a serious issue which affects the whole of Lincolnshire, not just Louth or Tetney.

“We have found that most people we have spoken to are supporting the work that we are doing.

“The tide is beginning to turn. We have seen the recent success of UKIP and they are fundamentally opposed to wind turbines, so that could work in our favour.

“David Cameron and the Conservatives are slowly beginning to realise that this is not just a local issue, it is a big deal.”

Several of the disputed wind turbines are currently being appealed, including three at Louth Canal which is currently awaiting a decision from the Secretary of State.

A verdict is expected on September 5.

Tinus Bojen, of North Thoresby, is the official photographer for the MWAG group and is responsible for a number of shots that display the effect of the wind turbines across Lincolnshire.

He said: “I am very much against any more development, particularly on Damwells Farm in Ludborough.

“Those four turbines would back right on to fields near where I live, so to see the application really brought it home to me.

“They were originally planning to construct 125 metre high turbines, which would have completely daunted my whole house.”

Sue Wileman, a Yarburgh resident, added: “I want to know what is going on, if nothing changes we are going to be surrounded by turbines.

“I live three fields away from a turbine in Yarburgh, it is an eyesore and when I pull out of the drive all you can see is the spinning blades.

“The new plans are terrible, absolutely disgraceful. I came here to live in the countryside and it’s all being turned into an industrial estate.

“And being called a NIMBY doesn’t help, which is what happens whenever we complain.”

Today, supporters will gather from 10am for a walk from Ludborough church and along part of the Wanderlust Way, near to Tetney, close to the site of a proposed wind farm development.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for coverage of the event.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/31/residents-say-tide-is-turning-in-battle-over-wind-farms-in-east-lindsey/