November 4, 2015
England

Villagers rally to oppose plans for a wind turbine

Ed Mezzetti, Senior reporter | Gazette & Herald | 4 November 2015 | www.gazetteherald.co.uk

More than half the residents of a Ryedale village will oppose plans for a wind turbine, according to the leader of a campaign group.

Future Energy Partnership (FEP) hopes to install a 45-metre high turbine in the parish of Allerston, near Pickering.

The company insists the location was chosen after a “rigorous” process and that the landscape “is capable of absorbing the single wind turbine”.

But Allerston resident James Ingham says the level of opposition was demonstrated at a public meeting where people from almost half the village’s households signed up.

“Over half the community want to be kept informed,” he said. “The inference from that is that they do not support the proposed wind turbine, and it supports the need for Ryedale District Council (RDC) to take account of the community’s views.”

FEP will lodge plans with RDC for the site between Allerston and Ebberston in the coming weeks.

Mr Ingham said: “The principal concerns were the sheer size and scale of the proposed turbine, being as high as the Knapton malting silo, its location, and the effect that this would have on the visual amenity of the landscape, and so through to the tourism industry.

“What we are looking for is Ryedale District Council to fully undertake its obligations.”

He is also concerned that FEP has not been asked to carry out a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Mr Ingham said: “This is quite monstrous given the size and location so near to affected communities of the proposed turbine, and with bats and owls, both protected species, living and breeding in the immediate vicinity.”

FEP hosted a presentation on the scheme, but Mr Ingham said that “glossed over significant matters”.

A spokesman for FEP said the turbine was regarded to be “small-medium” scale under Scottish Natural Heritage guidance.

Loss of tourism was not a “valid planning consideration”, while campaigners have misinterpreted government policy and the RDC Local Plan.

The spokesman added: “FEP was proactive with regards to community consultation and organised a community event which is not required under planning policy.

“The purpose of the event was to show the emerging plans before the application was submitted and gain valuable local feedback to help shape the proposal.

“FEP has submitted a formal screening request to the council, which resulted in the local planning authority stating that this development does not require an EIA.”