GIANT TURBINES GET EVEN BIGGER
(09:10 -
A Controversial plan to build England's largest wind farm in East Yorkshire has been
scrapped. The plans for the wind farm at Rotsea, near Hutton Cranswick, have changed
from having 43 wind turbines to 10. However, the turbines would be significantly
higher than those in the original plans and campaigners have vowed to continue the
fight against them.
The decision to reduce the number of turbines was taken by developer
Renewable Energy Systems (RES) after consultation with residents.
But the turbines would be 25m (82ft) larger than previously planned. The 125m (410ft)
structures would dwarf nearby Driffield's landmarks, including Somerset Tower at
All Saints Church, which stands at 33.5m (110ft) and the converted flour mill at
Riverhead, which is 17m (56ft) tall. RES today announced it would apply for planning
permission for the wind farm early next year.
The company has already been given planning
permission for an 80m (262ft) wind measuring mast at the site. The mast contains
devices to measure wind speed and direction.
Project manager Nick Bristow said: "We
are looking at a significantly smaller project of 10 turbines." Mr Bristow welcomed
the decision by East Riding Council this week to approve the wind measuring mast.
He said: "It is only a temporary device to assess the suitability of the site. "We
need to know how hard the wind blows to judge if the site is economically viable.
"The mast will help plan the wind farm. "We need to do background noise measurements
near the site. "To do this, we need to know the wind speed and direction at the
time."
But people living nearby are still opposed to the plans. Martin Bailey, 54,
of Main Street in Skerne, is a member of Wolds Wind Farm Opposition. East Riding
Council recorded 197 letters of objection to the wind measuring mast, but Mr Bailey
said he had seen 264 objections. He said: "Hundreds of people wrote in to voice
concerns about the mast. "The fact RES has reduced the farm has not reduced the
level of objection.
"If you look at other areas of the country, there are examples
where a single-
The wind farm would be capable of continually powering
about 10,000 homes. The turbines on the previously planned site could have powered
about 28,000 homes. But campaigners opposed to the development say, because of fluctuations
in the wind, turbines rarely operate at full strength. The proposed wind farm at
Rotsea is just one of number across the region.
Plans for a 10-
The Council approved the test anemometer… so what next? December 2006
First of all a big thank you to everyone who lodged objections to the test anemometer. There was a very impressive 409 objections received by the council up to the date of the meeting and we understand many more arrived after the cut off date.
But despite the clear local feeling the council approved the test anemometer and it is of great concern that at the meeting the weight of local opinion was completely discounted. Decisions appeared to be made without consideration of key planning issues, in particular, the fact that had not changed from the previous application, that of visual impact of a structure foreign to the area and the resultant loss of visual amenity.
The suggestion at the meeting was that the results of the test anemometer might show the site to be unsuitable. Unfortunately this is rather naïve as the only purpose of the results is to meet a requirement from the financers to show there will be a return on their investment. The crazy subsidies provided by the government ensure there are staggering profits in it for the banks, developers, and landowners despite precious little electricity produced.
And who is paying for all this? We all are of course, through the exorbitant price increases in electricity bills and ever increasing tax bills.
But let’s give the benefit of the doubt to our councillors and believe that when it comes to the full wind power station planning application they will wish to reject the application based on the clear unsuitability of the location and the effects on residents.
The developer, RES, has stated that the full application will be lodged early in 2007. This could be as early as January, another clear indication that the test anemometer results are meaningless in terms of their intention to go ahead.
They have also revealed that the first stage is 10 turbines but they have grown to a massive 125 metres, only a few metres short of the Humber Bridge columns. Based on the hub height of 80 metres, this means these monsters will have a rotor diameter of 90 metres. To put that in proportion the length of a football pitch is between 90 and 118 metres. We have also just learnt of a new turbine design of a massive 600 feet, that’s over 180 metres. RES have already upped the size once from 90 metres to 125 metres, what is to stop them doing it again?
One thing that is very clear is that wherever a wind power station is built there is clear evidence that this is followed, not just by applications to extend, but by a whole series of further applications leading to them spreading like a rash over the whole area. Just go and have a look round Scotland for clear evidence of this. Closer to home, Roos began with one application but is now reported to have 4 different developments proposed surrounding the village.
So it is vital that we win the most important battle of getting the main planning application thrown out when it comes. This is vital if we are to protect, not just the area round Rotsea, but the majority of our surrounding countryside and way of life. It is important that other villages and indeed people in Driffield understand that they will be affected and we seek their support also.
Black Law Wind Farm -
The same turbines as viewed from the village
The Humber Bridge
The towers can be seen as far away as Bridlington even in the middle of winter.
So ... imagine what ten turbines of a similar height would look like ?