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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
Campaigners hit back at Kirkby Wind Farm petition
Campaigners who want to see the Kirkby Moor wind farm pulled down say a petition with more than 100,000 signatures from people across the world is not as relevant as views from local people. The 12 turbines, built in 1993, will be the subject of a public inquiry later this month after South Lakeland District Council denied Ventient Energy permission to extend the lifespan of the wind farm until 2027. An online petition to keep the turbines and has attracted . . . Complete story »
Councillor calls for plan to fix broken wind turbine – four months after “catastrophic failure” left blade hanging
A Barnsley councillor has called for a broken wind turbine to be fixed – four months after a blade was left hanging from a buckled turbine tower. Residents reported hearing a loud bang on March 12, as debris was flung from the blade at Park Spring Wind Farm, on to a public footpath which is popular with dog walkers. Although there were no injuries, debris was left scattered across the path and surrounding area, which remains closed. Darfield Councillor Kevin . . . Complete story »
‘Money can’t compensate’ for disruption caused by offshore wind, campaigners say
A campaigner has described the conclusions of a report on offshore wind farms as a “sticking plaster on an open wound”. The report from think-tank Policy Exchange called for compensation for communities where onshore infrastructure such as underground cables, pylons and substations has to be built to connect offshore turbines to the grid. They also say they support an offshore wind “ring main” where neighbouring farms in the sea work together to reduce the burden of infrastructure on communities. The . . . Complete story »
Concerns raised over large scale industrial windfarms in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire County Council re-iterates strong concerns to windfarms being included in the newly released Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. Cllr Colin Davie, executive member for environment and planning, explains: “The Local Plan is an important policy document setting the tone for all new development activity and the plan has much to commend it. The public put their trust in councils to make sure developments in Lincolnshire are forward-thinking and environmentally beneficial, but also appropriate to our surroundings. It is important that . . . Complete story »
Wind farms “totally at odds” with Lincolnshire landscape, senior Lincolnshire County Councillor says
A senior councillor says that big commercial wind farms in the Lincolnshire countryside are not the answer to cutting carbon emissions because residents and visitors think they are blots on the landscape. Councillor Colin Davie, executive member for environment and planning at Lincolnshire County Council, has spoken out as people are invited to share their views on the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. The draft vision for development in Lincoln, Sleaford and Gainsborough and the surrounding countryside proposes between 1,060 and . . . Complete story »
Ørsted contractor speaks out on ‘potentially fatal’ wind farm gas leak
A man who was working on an Ørsted vessel when a gas leak occurred has spoken of how the incident ‘could have been fatal’ if it was left unchecked. Last week a vessel belonging to the Ørsted windfarm off the coast of Walney had a carbon monoxide leak with readings ‘four times over the limit’, contractor Karl Scott said. “I am one of the people that was on board the vessel with the gas leak, and I still have not . . . Complete story »
Wind turbines back on the agenda for English farmers
Farmers and landowners who have previously been advised that wind turbines are not a viable diversification option are being encouraged to reconsider. It is expected that a policy change could mean onshore wind will soon be able to again compete for government-backed contracts. The energy source is also likely to be seen as playing an important role in the UK’s efforts to achieve carbon net zero status. Martin Williams, associate at Carter Jonas, said that at the moment, onshore wind . . . Complete story »
New Rampion wind turbines the size of the Eiffel Tower could devastate the coastline, campaigners warn
Plans to extend the Rampion wind farm with turbines the size of the Eiffel Tower would be devastating for the landscape, environment and economy, campaigners have warned. Last year, proposals were drawn up to extend the 116-turbine wind farm off the coast of Worthing as far west as Climping and east along to Newhaven. Despite being marketed as doubling the size of the existing farm by adding 116 new turbines, a scoping report has revealed the new rotors could dwarf . . . Complete story »
Confusion over damaged turbine’s repair plan
Access to a popular walking route around a Grimethorpe wind farm remains closed as repairs to a damaged turbine have not been carried out – almost two months later. In March, strong winds caused a blade become dislodged from one of the turbines at Park Spring Wind Farm. Fibre glass debris fell into the fields below but no-one was hurt in the incident. Coun Kevin Osborne said: “I saw the damage on the day it happened – now it looks . . . Complete story »
Council hopes noise issue at Batsworthy Cross Wind farm are solved
Councillors are hoping they have found a solution to a noisy wind turbine at Batsworthy Cross. The operator of the wind farm, which stands alongside the North Devon Link Road near Rose Ash, has proposed a strategy to mitigate the noise. Andy Cole, at North Devon Council’s environmental protection team, told councillors at April’s strategy and resources committee: “Noise monitoring has previously confirmed compliance with the noise-related planning conditions at five of the six agreed monitoring locations. “There remains a . . . Complete story »
