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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Windfarms debate turns wild land into battlefield
Some people regard them as an integral, and even soothing, feature of modern Scotland – while others view them as a blot on the landscape that threatens to eviscerate the country’s natural beauty. There are few people who sit on the fence when it comes to windfarms. And, as a new YouGov poll has demonstrated, the battle between those who want further investment in renewable energy and those who argue vehemently that turbines are destroying part of the essence of . . .
Dagnam Park Harold Hill campaigners launch petition against wind farms
Two women who launched a successful social media campaign to protect a much-loved beauty spot say they feel “punched” in the stomach at the prospect of wind farms being installed. Community campaigners Lorraine Moss, Romford, and Jan Sargent, Harold Hill, launched a petition on Change.org after Havering Council included guidance for wind farm proposals in its draft local plan. The plan unveiled at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 19, deemed around 200 sites – including Dagnam Park – within . . .
Helicopter flight path changed after concerns for wildlife
Villagers are being warned of changes to helicopter flight paths after concerns were raised for protected wildlife sites. The application is for helicopters to fly from Great Oakley Airfield for work on the Galloper Windfarm off the coast of Suffolk for two years. But concerns from Natural England and the RSPB, siting a possibly “severe” impact on birds in the Hamford Water and Stour Estuary protected areas, have prompted changes to the proposed route. The new flightpath would see helicopters . . .
Tourists shun areas hit by wind turbine ‘blight’
More than half of tourists to Scotland would rather not visit scenic areas dominated by man-made structures such as wind farms, a YouGov poll suggests. A survey carried out on behalf of the John Muir Trust (JMT) found that 55% of respondents were “less likely” to venture into areas of the countryside industrialised by giant turbines, electricity pylons and super-quarries. Just 3% said they were “more likely” to visit such areas, while 26% said such large-scale developments would make “no . . .
Windfarms ‘will drive visitors away from Scotland’
New research by a conservation charity has highlighted the potential tourism risks posed by industrial development encroaching on Scotland’s scenic landscapes. The survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of the John Muir Trust, showed that 55% of the Scottish adults who were asked said they would be less likely to visit the country’s beautiful countryside if it contained large-scale infrastructure, such as electricity transmission towers, quarries and commercial wind farms. Just 3% claimed they would be more likely to . . .
Community campaigners plan to fight wind farms in beauty spots across Havering
Residents who celebrated the council’s u-turn for a solar farm on a nature reserve have reacted in horror to suggestions wind farms could be installed instead. At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 19, Havering Council unveiled its draft local plan which sets out its vision and framework for future development in the borough. The plan incorporated guidance for any private developers who submit proposals for wind turbines in Havering to help the council meet its ambition of reducing carbon . . .
Claims Moray’s picturesque hillsides at risk of being engulfed by turbines
A councillor has warned that Moray’s picturesque hillsides are at risk of being engulfed by turbines after the Scottish Government controversially approved a wind farm expansion in the teeth of local council opposition. Derek Ross, who represents the Speyside Glenlivet ward, has lashed out at SNP ministers after they endorsed a scheme to extend the Hill of Towie wind farm at Drummuir from 21 to 37 turbines. Moray Council’s planning committee had objected to the proposal because of the cumulative . . .
Massive wind turbine plan for borough village
A huge 426ft wind turbine, which could be seen as far away as Tamworth and Coventry may be installed on a farm in one of the borough’s smallest settlements. The three-bladed eco-energy tower, 130m to each tip, is proposed for land at Cottage Farm off Brascote Lane in Cadeby, near to the quarry and concrete depot. It would stand for 25 years amidst fields, which according to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s renewable energy capacity study of December 2014, fall . . .
Bid to rescue wind farm plan after opposition from Gleneagles Hotel
Developers have mounted a bid to rescue a highly controversial wind farm plan. The nine-turbine project at Greenacres, between Comrie and Braco, was rejected by councillors in April. More than 400 people and organisations, including the Gleneagles Hotel, had called for the scheme to be scrapped, arguing that it could hurt tourism and have a negative visual impact. There were also concerns about an Ardoch Roman fort less than two miles from the turbines. Now Green Cat Renewables has appealed . . .
French power giant EDF buys 11 wind farm projects in Britain
French power giant EDF said Thursday that it has acquired 11 wind farm projects in Britain as part of its drive to double renewable energy capacity by 2030. “EDF Energy Renewables, the UK subsidiary of EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy, has bought 11 wind farm projects” in Scotland with a potential capacity of 600 megawatt, EDF said in a statement. Financial details were not disclosed. “The acquisition underlines EDF Group’s ambition to double its renewable energy capacity by 2030.” . . .
