May 20, 2016
England

Plans submitted for second giant wind turbine in Heath and Reach

By Stewart Carr | Leighton Buzzard Observer | 19 May 2016 | /www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk

Plans for a second giant wind turbine to be built in Heath and Reach have been formally submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council.

The plans are for a turbine up to 490 feet tall to be built in the recently vacated Checkley Wood Farm, owned by Arnold White Estates.

Included within the plans are the results of an investigation last year into TV reception problems caused by the current turbine at Double Arches Quarry.

The report by GTech Survey Ltd states: “Interference exists for Sandy Heath Freeview viewers located within Heath and Reach and northern parts of Leighton Buzzard.

“In these locations the presence of unwanted signal reflections and interactions from rotating wind turbine blades is likely to disrupt Freeview reception.”

The report went on to state one way of fixing the problem was to install digital satellite television, while another was to rotate the antennas towards Oxford or Crytal Palace transmitters – which would result in the loss of regional programmes.

It said that of 108 complaints received in December 2014 and early 2015, 53 had been resolved through moving antennas away from the Sandy Heath transmitter.

The public can email comments about the application to case officer Debbie Willcox at debbie.willcox@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

A decision is expected to be reached by August 4. See more in Tuesday’s edition of the LBO.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/05/20/plans-submitted-for-second-giant-wind-turbine-in-heath-and-reach/