Turbine plans spark concern for wildlife
VILLAGERS have warned two new wind turbines could harm wildlife in Tophill Low nature reserve.
The two 46m turbines could be built on land north west of Decoy House in Watton, near Driffield.
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TOO CLOSE? Villagers in Watton fear two new wind turbines could harm wildlife in Tophill Low nature reserve. Picture: Simon Kench
But residents are worried they could affect the flight paths of birds and drive walkers away from the area.
Tophill Low, which is home to coots, barn owls and woodpeckers, is a few miles north of where the turbines would go up.
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In a submission to East Riding Council's planning officers, Watton Parish Council said it was "concerned over the proximity of turbines to Tophill Low".
These fears were echoed by the parish council of neighbouring village Brandesburton. In a letter, its councillors said the turbines were "considered to be totally out of scale".
They are also worried the generators "would have a negative effect on tourism".
Villagers said they felt the development could harm house prices.
Roy Kittmer, of Brandesburton, said: "The turbines will dominate the surrounding area. The area is already peppered with far too many turbines, having a negative visual effect and potentially affecting tourism.
"The appearance of the area is being blighted. Property values will suffer."
Mr Kittmer called on the council to reject all future turbine applications in the Wolds.
He said: "These developments bring benefits only to the developer and the landowner and do nothing for the local community and economy.
"Larger developments than this may bring community grants schemes offered by way of mitigation but these in no way compensate for the wider and much longer-term damage caused."
Councillors will vote on whether to allow the turbines at a planning meeting on Thursday at 2pm in Beverley County Hall. Planning officers have recommended they should be approved.
In a report, they said: "The proposed turbines will not significantly harm local residential amenity, the quality of the landscape, local settlement character or heritage assets.
"The tree and woodland screening and appropriate separation distances between the proposed turbines and sensitive receptions play an important part in reducing the potential impact.
"Despite the proximity to the sensitive ecological site at Tophill Low, the effects are acceptable."
Some neighbours also sent in letters supporting the build.
4 Comments
by ArthurHunt
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 7:52PM
“I agree entirely with jolson16. I despise these inefficient ugly monstrosities pushed on us by the vested interests..... and people ignore the healing effect of the countryside and the natural kingdoms of this world. We need the open spaces far more than we know or care.
Too much rampant materialism, greed, overpopulation (whoops I've mentioned a taboo subject) and schoolboy answers to energy will destroy us all.....”
by sabboo
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 4:35PM
“If its physically a suitable place to put them then they should, although I have nothing against wind turbines (I would rather have them than be flooded out permanently due to rising sea levels which would effect house prices more) surely placing them in the north sea and the Humber (not exactly picturesque) would be a better alternative, along with many tidal generators of course. Wind farms in the North Sea benefit wildlife as they provide a safe haven for fish as trawlers can get nowhere near them...”
by jolson16
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 12:44PM
“Wyke Tyke should look at the visual intrusion these monstosities create in our countryside.
Or is it a case of another Tablet reader who spends most of their time looking at a screen rather than looking at the natural world that surrounds us.
To those who love the countryside this is everybody's Back Yard.The Wolds is our Back Yard and we all in East Riding should be saying no more wind turbines.
Whether we live in an urban town or a village _ This is our Environment -Protect it.
GLOBAL WARMING HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A CON -JUST LOOK OUT OF YOUR WINDOW YOU'LL SEE SOME WHITE STUFF.LOOk AT THE RECENT MET OFFICE STATEMENTS ON GLOBAL WARMING -THERE HASN't BEEN ANY.
THE GREENIES ARE NOW EVEN TRYING TO ARGUE AGAINST WOODBURNERS !!!!!!!!!”
by WykeTyke
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 12:32PM
“NIMBYism. The real objection is revealed by the text not the headline. House prices.
The HDM has always been biased against Wind Turbines, it should better focus its attention on global warming.”