December 1, 2016
Scotland

Fears wind turbine could create unacceptable noise pollution

By Jamie Ross | The Press and Journal | December 1, 2016 | www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Environmental health chiefs have moved to block a wind turbine being built near a north-east village for fears it will create unacceptable noise pollution.

Fraserburgh Development Trust (FDT) lodged plans to install the 249ft structure at Howford Farm, near Strichen, earlier this year, and has since faced opposition from air traffic service Nats and the Joint Radio Company (JRC).

Aberdeenshire Council’s environmental health team have now lodged their own complaint against the proposal.

The service is concerned that it does not have enough information to prove that noise pollution would not affect nearby residents.

Until FDT can provide more details on the projected noise level at the site – close to a farm which is used to train people with learning difficulties how to garden – it has submitted an objection.

In her letter to planners, environmental health officer Louise Cunningham said: “The application does not contain sufficient information to enable adequate assessment of the noise impact of the proposed development.

“At present, there is insufficient information to enable environmental health to properly consider the potential noise impacts.”

The JRC, which monitors radio wave interference for energy companies in the UK, believes the turbine could cause problems with equipment.

And in a separate letter to the council, Nats said radar systems could also be affected.

The Trust would inject 20% of the profits from the turbine into local initiatives if it wins planning approval.

Money would also be paid to the farm’s owners to ensure that the work to develop a garden centre continued.

Trust manager Mark Jackson has claimed the turbine would be a “real community asset” and argued that it would allow the group to provide funding to a range of projects across the North-east.

He added: “There would also be a community fund established for the village of Strichen.

“This would be administered by residents within the village.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/12/01/fears-wind-turbine-could-create-unacceptable-noise-pollution/