August 17, 2014
England

Villagers gather to protest against Redcar wind turbine plans

Watch: Villagers gather to protest against Redcar wind turbine plans | By Sophie Barley | Gazette Live | Aug 17, 2014 | www.gazettelive.co.uk

Villagers staged a protest near Redcar over a proposed wind turbine development.

More than 30 residents from Yearby, Wilton and Kirkleatham took part in the protest in Kirkleatham Lane yesterday.

Renewable energy firm Airvolution proposes to build two 140m turbines within half a mile from the three villages.

Among the protestors was Phil Chapman, 64, a retired care home owner from Wilton.

He said: “I am really pleased that so many people have come along today. It shows how strongly people feel about this.

“We think that the proposed turbines are too large and too close to the villages.

“We just hope the council listens to us but I do have faith that councillors will vote against this.”

Peter Sotheran, 70, a retired printer from Yearby was also at the protest. He said: “I am absolutely delighted that so many people have showed up for the protest.

“We wanted to remind councillors that we have not gone away and we are still going to fight these plans.

“We have villagers from both Yearby and Wilton here which is great and there is a mix of ages.

“I have lived in Yearby for 40 years. We will do all we cabn to fight these proposals.”

The development was first announced a year ago. Since then, more than 200 objections have been received by Redcar and Cleveland Council.

Barry Smith, 75, operates the airfield in Yearby. He said if the proposals get the go ahead, it could shut the airstrip down,

He said: “It has been very worrying. This has dominated our lives for the last six months. They should not have agreed to propose the development so close to an airstrip. They have tried to dismiss us as an irrelevance

Airvolution says the turbines would generate enough electricity to power about 4,600 homes every year for their 25-year lifetime. The company has also pledged to set up a community benefit fund, with at least £20,000 a year to be given to local causes.

After the public consultation period was extended by three months, the application is now expected to go before the council’s regulatory committee next month.