Wind Power News: U.K.
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.
Two wind turbines get go-ahead near North Norfolk coast
Two controversial wind turbines near the north Norfolk coast have been given the go ahead after years of battles between developers, residents and the local council. The Planning Inspectorate has approved the turbines between Sheringham and Holt after North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) tried to have them stopped. The decision means a 66m turbine can be built at Pond Farm, Bodham and a 78m turbine can go ahead at Selbrigg Farm in Hempstead. The planned sites are around 3km away . . . Complete story »
North residents voice health fears over wind turbine noise
A former Caithness councillor has spoken out about the impact of wind turbine noise on residents’ health. Gillian Coghill said she has been approached by several neighbours convinced the towers are damaging their quality of life. Caithness has 227 operational turbines, with as many again in the pipeline for planning approval. Mrs Coghill said: “I decided to do a bit of research on this subject and what I found was quite eye-opening. “Infrasound, the noise produced by wind turbines travels . . . Complete story »
Fury over plan for 46 turbines at Highland beauty spot
Residents of a Highland village are preparing to do battle over plans for a huge wind farm within picturesque Glen Affric. German company Vento Ludens Ltd submitted a scoping report to the Scottish Government in November for the construction of 46 wind turbines at Fasnakyle. It would cover 5,000 acres to the south-east of Tomich, within the area once proposed for the Beinn Mhor Wind Farm, but expanding into areas of Guisachan Forest. Each turbine would, under the initial proposals, . . . Complete story »
Row over proposed wind turbine policy for Northumberland
Opponents have called for the ‘flawed’ and ‘unsound’ policy on wind turbines in the Northumberland Local Plan to be scrapped. Gregory Jones QC, representing the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, said it ‘should be struck out’, during a hearing as part of the independent examination of the key document. Kevin Tipple, a senior planning officer at Northumberland County Council, conceded there was some work to do, but added: “We do feel the approach is sound.” However, Mr Jones said that ‘make . . . Complete story »
Carmarthenshire council working towards carbon neutral status
Leaders in Carmarthenshire want to install wind turbines and solar farms on council-owned land as part of a new plan to become net carbon zero by 2030. Executive board members have approved a plan to become carbon neutral in four areas initially – non-domestic buildings, like leisure centres and schools; fleet mileage, such as refuse lorries; business mileage – car journeys taken by employees; and street lighting. Targets will be developed as part of an annual review of the action . . . Complete story »
Powys Council in trouble with commissioner over wind farm response
Powys County Council (PCC) has been rapped over the knuckles by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for failing to respond to a request for information within the statutory time limit of 20 days. The request was made under Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) which is very similar to the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) but deals with environmental issues. PCC said it is “taking steps” to comply with the commissioner’s notice. On October 17, 2019 a request for information about the . . . Complete story »
Third time unlucky for Gilston Hill wind farm scheme
Plans for a wind farm in the Scottish borders have been rejected for a third time over “environmental harm” fears. Proposals to put up turbines north west of Gilston Farm, near Heriot, first surfaced almost a decade ago. It was initially refused by a Scottish government reporter – but revised plans later gained approval in February 2019. However, the Court of Session quashed that decision and it was ordered to be re-determined. A reporter has now concluded the scheme should . . . Complete story »
Plans for eight-turbine wind farm near Heriot given the thumbs-down
Energiekontor UK’s hopes of erecting eight 130m-tall turbines just off of the A7 at Wull Muir have been thwarted by both councillors and officers, as well as an objection from the Ministry of Defence. Though the village’s 250-odd residents were split in opinion, the application garnering 12 letters of support and nine against, all but one councillor rejected the plans. Speaking against the application at Monday’s meeting of Scottish Borders Council’s planning and building standards committee, Heriot Community Council chairman . . . Complete story »
Giant windfarm may be even bigger than first planned…
A controversial wind farm that will be seen from right across Lower Lough Erne could be even bigger than originally feared. The Derrykillew and Corlea Wind Farm site is just two miles from the Commons in Belleek, but because it is on the Donegal side of the border residents in Fermanagh there was no consultation with local people during its planning stages. Donegal County Council had initially denied permission for the wind turbines, however the southern planning authority, An Board . . . Complete story »
Councils at odds over wind turbine
Two separate councils have been at loggerheads over a new wind turbine development in Wennington. The project was part of a private barn conversion several miles from the village. The purpose of the singular wind turbine is to provide electricity for the development, which will be the home of the applicant – one Steve Johnson. Wennington Parish Council brought a legal challenge against Lancaster City Council on the grounds that the latter had not observed due process in granting permission . . . Complete story »
