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.
Growing risk of 21st-century Caithness clearances in wake of Golticlay decision, councillor claims
A Highland councillor has claimed there is a growing risk of a “21st-century Caithness clearances” following the Scottish Government’s decision to approve a wind farm that had generated widespread local opposition. Councillor Matthew Reiss accused government ministers of “riding roughshod” over the wishes of the community by giving consent for the 19-turbine Golticlay Wind Farm near Lybster and of “violating our unique and diverse landscape”. Highland Council objected to the Golticlay plan in September 2017, saying it would have “a . . . Complete story »
Councillors add to concern over how community’s views on wind farm working hours were dealt with
A number of SIC councillors have expressed frustration with the way the local planning authority is responding – or not, as the case may be – to community concerns over the Viking Energy construction project. In a series of e-mails seen by Shetland News, councillors regularly attending meetings of the Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale community council (TWWCC) expressed disappointment over how the group’s concerns were handled – with one saying they sometimes feel “very embarrassed” attending these meetings and being . . . Complete story »
Decision taken on ‘giant windfarm’ plan after surprise local plan ‘contraventions’ revealed to meeting
A plan to erect a string of 150m high wind turbines between Largs and Skelmorlie has been rejected by council planners – after a meeting heard it breached TEN policies in the local development plan. Rigghill Windfarm Ltd were looking to build 10 wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 149.9m approximately one kilometre south east of Skelmorlie. But protestors finally won their battle to have the proposal scrapped after a two-hour planning meeting on Monday. Skelmorlie Community . . . Complete story »
Decision on ‘giant windfarm’ after surprise local plan ‘contraventions’ revealed to meeting
A controversial plan for 150m high wind turbines in the countryside has been rejected by council planners – after a meeting heard it breached 10 policies in the local development plan. Rigghill Windfarm Ltd were looking to build 10 wind turbines around one kilometre south east of Skelmorlie. But protestors finally won their battle to have the proposal scrapped after a marathon two-hour planning meeting. Skelmorlie Community Council chairman Helen Boyle pleaded with councillors to refuse the application. She said: . . . Complete story »
Giant onshore wind turbines coming to Scotland as part of new environmental efforts
A new generation of giant onshore wind turbines, almost as tall as the Eiffel Tower, is heading for Scotland as efforts to achieve green energy targets are stepped up, according to a firm of property experts. Galbraith is in negotiations with a number of developers about installing machines that would stand around 820ft from the ground to the tip of their blades at Scottish and English sites. More than twice the height of most of the first generation of turbines . . . Complete story »
Knock Iveagh: Council takes legal action over wind turbine
A council is taking legal action against a Stormont department for refusing to order the removal of a wind turbine beside an historic monument. Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council has lodged papers in the High Court citing the Infrastructure Department. In November it asked Infrastructure to use its powers to force the removal of the controversial turbine. The turbine is beside a 5,000 year-old Neolithic burial site which is a scheduled historic monument. The council said the turbine was having . . . Complete story »
Fears for British air defences as offshore wind farms could impact on radar
Experts fear offshore wind farms being built around Britain’s coast could jeopardise UK air defences. Turning turbine blades may interfere with radar designed to pick up foreign fighter jets or long-range bombers approaching UK air space or the area of national interest. Studies suggest offshore wind farms could interfere with vital military communications. The Government is so concerned that it has launched a £3.6million competition for companies to suggest ways to mitigate the impact – and prevent giant wind farms . . . Complete story »
‘Dictatorship’ claim by Caithness resident after wind farm gets go-ahead from Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has been accused of acting “like a dictatorship” after giving the go-ahead for another Caithness wind farm despite widespread opposition from the community. Local resident Jo Bowd says she feels “angry and let down” that Golticlay Wind Farm was approved by government ministers following an appeal. She claims the 19-turbine scheme will dominate the skyline across from her cottage at Roster, north of Lybster. With two onshore wind farms nearby already, and others in the planning system, . . . Complete story »
Decision on offshore windfarm plans delayed by 3 months
A decision on whether offshore windfarms off the Suffolk coast will be built has been pushed back by three months, it has emerged. The Planning Inspectorate on Thursday confirmed it has extended the examination period for ScottishPower Renewables’ plans for the East Anglia One North (EA1N) and East Anglia Two (EA2) windfarm proposals until July 6 – three months later than the planned examination end date of Tuesday next week. That extends the whole process by the months. The Planning . . . Complete story »
The RSPB, wind farms and a change of direction
Last month the House of Lords Environment Committee heard evidence about the effects of offshore windfarms on the marine environment. The hearing was notable for revealing signs of concern from the RSPB about the devastation that is potentially going to be unleashed on the North Sea, a crime in which they have been complicit because of their silence up until now. Perhaps, after all these years, they are getting close to confronting the evidence of the harm their support for . . . Complete story »
