June 18, 2014
England

Why residents fear windfarm

By Scunthorpe Telegraph | Posted: June 18, 2014 | www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk

Winterton residents have spoken of the impact they fear proposed wind turbines will have on them during a public inquiry.

North Lincolnshire Council’s planning committee rejected the application for three turbines at the WRG Ironstone Quarry waste site on Coleby Road but an appeal was lodged by FCC Environment (UK) Limited.

The Winterton Against Inappropriate Turbines (WAIT) group had called for Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, to recover the appeal and wants him to ensure that key issues of landscape, heritage and cumulative impact are taken into account.

The final decision will lie with him.

The inquiry also heard from Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy and council leader Liz Redfern.

An emotional Joss Favill, who lives on Thealby Lane, and is the one of the closest residents to the proposed turbines, told the planning inspectorate that she has had to move out of her home because of the “stress of the impending wind farm”.

She said: “Nobody thinks that disasters will happen but disasters do happen.

“Who is going to protect my family from mechanical failure or blade sheer?”

The mum-of-two added: “There is an abundance of wildlife for my children to enjoy. All these precious, priceless delights we could lose forever.”

FCC Environment (UK) Limited said in the appeal document that a balance must be made between the positive benefits of renewable energy which is a national priority, and the harmful impacts of the scheme.

It states: “The planning balance in this case falls in favour of the development and permission should be granted.”

Council leader Liz Redfern said Winterton residents have lived with uncertainty for more than two years.

She said: “We are elected to listen to residents and reflect their views which the planning committee did when they rejected the application.

“This is the wrong development in the wrong place for the wrong reasons.”

Mr Percy said there are too many wind farms in the area.

He said: “I’d ask the planning inspectorate to take into account the new planning guidance that the views of local people must be listened to.

“There is the cumulative impact on the landscape of two or more farms and there are heritage issues to consider.

“West Halton Parish Church is a grade two listed building and the application will have an impact on that building.”

He added: “We’re not against all wind farms but we have hit our 2020 targets on renewable energy in North Lincolnshire.

“We are contributing to it.”

The hearing has now finished and a decision will be announced in due course.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/06/18/why-residents-fear-windfarm/