Wind Power News: England
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Why fighter jet crash has wind farm protesters worrying about ‘radioactive risk’ 22 years later
Farmer’s land which is due to be dug up for offshore windfarm cables has previously carried a “radioactive risk” following a plane crash 22 years ago, secret documents reveal today. Vattenfall, the firm behind proposals for the massive windfarm off the east Norfolk coast, has been criticised after it emerged it did not even know about the crash on land near Necton – and that it plans to carry on with the dig regardless. The company has allayed the fears . . . Complete story »
Norfolk council to appeal High Court ruling over wind turbines, despite potential cost
A Norfolk council will appeal a decision not to hold a public inquiry into controversial plans for two wind turbines. Last week it was announced that the High Court had overturned an appeal by North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) into the Bodham and Selbrigg turbines. The court ruled that the next stage of the planning process would involve written representations rather than a public inquiry. The council wants to give the public the chance to make their point directly to . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine plans on the horizon in Hartlepool
Hartlepool renewable energy company Seneca Global Energy is proposing to develop three turbines up to 99 metres high. That would make them three metres (around nine feet) taller than Big Ben. Seaton residents and campaigners who have fought against previous applications due to the visual and other potential impacts on residents are objecting to the new proposals. The intended locations are two turbines on land to the west of Brenda Road near Tata Steel, and one on the northern side . . . Complete story »
Map shows possible wind turbine sites in Northumberland
Vast swathes of Northumberland could be designated as suitable for wind turbine development through the county council’s new local plan. However the areas, which include parts of the North Tyne, Rede and Allen Valleys, as well as land in Hexhamshire, Prudhoe and Stocksfield, would only be a starting point and any planning applications would have to meet a number of other requirements set out in the draft policy. Plus, there are only limited areas – most of which are already . . . Complete story »
Wind turbine plans continue to divide opinion in north Norfolk
Opposing views have been expressed after it emerged that there would be no new public inquiry into controversial plans for two wind turbines in north Norfolk. As reported, an inspector at the High Court decided it could be dealt with by written representations. The turbines would be about a mile apart at Bodham and Selbrigg. North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) ward member Georgie Perry-Warnes said: “I support the applications and consider the legal challenges mounted by the council are not . . . Complete story »
Campaigners warn Northumberland could be swamped by wind turbines
Vast swathes of Northumberland could be designated as suitable for wind turbine development through the county council’s new Local Plan. However, these areas would only be a starting point and any planning applications would have to meet a number of other requirements set out in the draft policy. Plus, there are only limited areas – most of which are already windfarms – where what are described as large turbines, those over 40 metres, would be acceptable. Nonetheless, campaigners have criticised . . . Complete story »
Plastic from Rampion wind farm washes up on beach
The Rampion wind farm has announced it will carry out a full beach clean after plastic castings have washed ashore on Lancing beach The refuse, noticed by beachgoers on Monday morning, has been confirmed by the wind farm’s owners as having originated from the offshore development. The refuse is largely made up of long thin black plastic coiled strips, as well as some larger objects. A Rampion spokeswoman said: “We’re aware that plastic remnants have been found on Lancing Beach . . . Complete story »
Hopes for public inquiry into Norfolk wind turbines dashed – but council will challenge the decision
Hopes of campaigners for a new public inquiry into controversial plans for two wind turbines in north Norfolk have been dashed by a new High Court ruling. However, North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) looks set to challenge the decision. In March last year, after a six day public inquiry a planning inspector gave consent for the turbines, which would be about a mile apart at Bodham and Selbrigg. This was despite fierce opposition from NNDC and the No To That . . . Complete story »
ScottishPower probes turbine fire
ScottishPower Renewables is investigating an apparent turbine fire at its Lynemouth wind farm near Ashington in the north-east of England. The utility developer said it is “aware of an incident” at the project and “along with our contractor are carrying out a full investigation”. Images posted on social media earlier this week show a single burned-out turbine. Local fire services were not immediately available to comment. According to online images, the nacelle and hub are largely destroyed while the blades, . . . Complete story »
‘Cheap foreign workers being prioritised for offshore wind jobs’, warn MPs and trade unions
Lax immigration rules are preventing Hull seafarers and labourers from getting jobs in the offshore wind industry, MPs and trade unions have warned. The world’s largest wind farm, Hornsea, is currently being built off the Humber coast – but critics say British seafarers and labourers are not feeling the benefit of the predicted jobs boom. The renewable energy industry successfully lobbied the Home Office in April 2017 to introduce an immigration waiver for those working on the construction of the . . . Complete story »
