Un-elected officials decide on turbines?    

Jun 2 2008 by William Green, The Journal

GORDON Brown is facing a Labour revolt over proposals to hand un-elected officials the final planning decision on major wind farms and other key projects. Nine of the region's Labour MPs have signed a Parliamentary motion, along with 54 colleagues, expressing alarm over the proposed Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC). Ministers insist the shake-up will make the planning process faster and cheaper, but the motion - signed by 106 MPs overall - warns it would give the independent IPC "inordinate and unprecedented" powers to push through developments against public opposition.

The changes would move final decisions on planning applications from major wind farms, motorways, airports and power stations in England and Wales to unelected officials and away from ministers accountable to Parliament. The developments come after The Journal last year highlighted warnings from campaigners that communities in the North could be left without any "meaningful" say in the planning process because of the changes. But a rebel amendment expected to be debated when the Planning Bill returns to the Commons today would limit the IPC to making recommendations on matters of national strategic importance, with final decisions resting with the Secretary of State.

North Durham MP Kevan Jones, who signed the motion, said the planning system needed streamlining for major projects such as the next generation of power stations, with decisions currently taken at a "snail's pace". But he added: "I wouldn't like to see those powers transferred to anyone who is not democratically accountable, which the Secretary of State is." Other North East MPs who have signed the motion are David Clelland, Sharon Hodgson, Stephen Hepburn, Jim Cousins, Bill Etherington, Chris Mullin and David Anderson. The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) warned the shake-up would be bad for the North East with decisions taken in London rather than in the region. Dominic Coupe, chairman of CPRE in Northumberland, said: "When parts of the North East are 350 miles away from the central location of this new quango, it is only naturally going to be true that decisions are less informed and sensitive to local needs."

Planning minister John Healey indicated the Government remained open to further discussions on fine-tuning the Bill, but insisted the IPC would strengthen the involvement of Parliament in the planning process and give local people a greater say. He said Ministers currently make decisions on major planning proposals without reference to Parliament and judgments can only be challenged through the courts. But the IPC would make decisions within national policy statements drawn up by ministers and scrutinised by Parliament and subject to wide public consultation. Commissioners would have to report to Parliament and give evidence to select committees.

Energy company unveils more wind farm plans ANGER erupted yesterday after a green energy company revealed a wind farm project in part of Northumberland where the fate of plans for 59 giant turbines is still undecided. Npower renewables is launching a public consultation exercise on a bid for eight 125m-high turbines at remote Kirkharle - and will submit a formal planning application to Tynedale Council later this year. The move comes as a major public inquiry continues into three separate applications which could result in 59 turbines being erected at Green Rigg Fell near Birtley, on the Ray Estate and at Kirkwhelpington. Ministers will decide on the trio of bids by Wind Prospect Developments, Amec Project Investments and Steadings Wind Farm following the conclusion of the hearing later this year.

As well as the three bids under discussion at the inquiry and the npower renewables scheme, two other potential turbine sites are also in the pipeline at Throckrington and Tone Hill. Npower renewables says it wants to assess public opinion about its proposal. Yesterday Carol Brodie of Great Bavington, who chairs the Campaign for Responsible Energy Development in Tynedale (Credit), said npower was showing a "complete lack of respect" for the feelings of local residents. Npower renewables has developed an on-line questionnaire, set up a telephone information line.

People can find out more at www.npower-renewables.com/kirkharle or by calling 0845 459-4069.

Campaigners fighting a controversial wind farm development have received a welcome boost after several high-profile figures added their backing to the cause.

An environmental necessity or a blot on the landscape?

Sarah Freeman reports on how wind farms became one of the hottest topics on the green agenda.

The battle lines have been drawn and neither side appears in the mood for compromise.

Once seen as a flight of fancy by an environmentalist minority, wind farms have graduated to the mainstream and are now increasingly seen as playing a vital part of future energy plans. But not everyone is happy.
While supporters wax lyrical about how England's 137 turbines are an aesthetically pleasing solution to the need for more renewable energy, opponents remain unconvinced.

Critics claim that, placed in the wrong area, they produce unacceptable levels of noise, adversely affect wildlife and destroy the natural landscape. If that wasn't bad enough, these apparently innocent looking structures also have the power to drive away tourists and kill birds
........... The Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group is typical of the kind of organisations which has sprung up. It was formed 18 months ago when Banks Development unveiled plans to install six 125ft turbines on land surrounded by six villages. Among a myriad of objections, the group's main concern is that the site it so close to residential properties.
"We are all in favour of renewable energy projects and have nothing against wind farms per se," says chairman, Tony Hames, "However, this development is just too close to people's homes. For some the turbines will be just 500m away and it will be the closest wind farm to residential property in the UK."We are lucky that we have a number of technically-minded people in the group and they have done an awful lot of research in terms of the likely knock-on effects of the wind farm, from the problems of noise and loss of television reception to potential health problems and the loss of recreational amenities.

"It's not just affecting one area, it's green belt land right in the middle of a number of communities and it just seems like the very worst place they could have chosen. I think it says something that both Labour and Conservative councillors are behind our appeal."Banks Development has held exhibitions and it has given small amounts of money to the local school, but to be honest, most people see it as a cynical attempt to win us round. This particular part of Yorkshire is generally seen as quite deprived. It has what I suppose you'd describe as an industrial landscape, and maybe people thought that no one would mind.

"However, we do mind, and we won't give up without a fight."

A response at last from Banks!

Banks Developments have at last responded to P.W.A.G's Objection Document by engaging an Environment and Planning Consultant to comment on our assertions that Went Edge and the surrounding communities would be devastated by the proposal. Surprisingly the consultant does not contest what we have said, but tries to make the case that government policy and environmental targets placed by government on local authorities should prevail over local conditions. How can that be right? Why don't Banks, the government and their consultants look for the most appropriate sites and promote them together so that inappropriate sites such as Westfield Lane do not waste so much time and public money before being thrown out.

P.W.A.G. will respond to the developer's comments just as robustly as in our Objection Document. We have not yet seen any argument that supports Westfield Lane as a site for a wind farm. In fact there isn't one.

It is still not too late to object to this planning application 07/1338/FUL select "How to object to the wind farm" and "Standard letters" from the main menu, or write to Wakefield M.D.C.

Recent picture of West Park Hamlet showing what it would look like with turbines in place

The above picture shows the immense impact that these turbines would have on this small Hamlet at West Park. Picture taken approximately 400 meter’s to the rear of the Hamlet. Picture supplied by a West Park Hamlet Resident.

Bring Me Sunshine

There’s often a perception that our grey, overcast skies make solar power a virtual impossibility for all but a few weeks of the year. But two kinds of solar power are possible here – solar thermal to heat water, and photovoltaics (PV) to create electricity

The most affordable of those options is solar thermal, which creates hot water from a rooftop panel.
The other type is Photovoltaics, meaning electricity from light. It uses silicon cells to charge electricity for powering household appliances. The high price of photovoltaics is still a deterrent but costs will start to come down over the next decade. Dr. Thomas Markvart of Southampton University says photovoltaics could provide a substantial amount of the electricity Britain needs, but the problem is trying to store that power for when we need it most – on dark winter evenings. At present there is no mechanism for storing electricity generated on long summer days for use in winter.

But an idea that is gathering force among a growing group of engineers, scientists and academics around the world is the plan to build large solar plants in the Sahara desert to provide enough electricity for the Middle East and North Africa and enough to export to Europe. Costing the Earth reports on the viability of solar power and visits Egypt where one of the first plants that could provide us with electricity is under construction.

Developer behind wind farm scheme are set to respond to objectors within days.

ANSWERS look to be finally on the way for campaigners battling plans for a wind farm in Darrington. W.P.H.A.G. have been told it can expect a response from developers within days about their objections to the plans for six turbines as tall as Big Ben on greenbelt land off Westfield lane Darrington.
W.P.H.A.G. has fought to halt the plans by Banks Developments, which are too close to homes and will ruin our peaceful community and drive down house prices. Members have already put forward objections at a meeting with Wakefield Council Planning bosses.
Now we have been told that the developers are ready to come back with answers. The developers response should be very interesting. We are hoping to be able to attend a meeting between Banks and the council. The developers seem to have taken a very arrogant stance and seem to think they will answer all our objections within the planning application but that’s very unlikely.
“We will be pressing for answers as these plans are not acceptable for residents.” A Wakefield Council landscape architect has already drafted a response to the plans, branding the design as “unsympathetic, obtrusive and totally out of character in the location that is proposed”.
The WPHAG is already angry after the 60m test mast was erected this month on the site, despite being refused by Wakefield Council’s planning and highways committee. A government inspector overturned the council’s decision. Banks says the turbines will help fulfill the district’s renewable energy targets.

It's arrived and to prove it, it's here!

WMDC Planning Department,Newton Bar,Wakefield,West Yorkshire
planning reference is 07/01338/FUL

W.M.D.C.'s Landscape Architects Statement

Summary of response by B Tupper, PLA for Wakefield MDC:- "The turbines are too close to residential dwellings”.

Living in the Shadow

Published 16-02-2008

You may not be aware of a hamlet called West Park in particular the tranquil oasis of West Park Homes.A park home estate nestling within bucolic surroundings under the auspice of Darrington.Here the residents have chosen to retire to their dream home living a peaceful existence amongst their peers.The hustle and bustle of city life left behind they enjoy their hobbies reading,dancing,inviting the neighbours to sit in their well tended gardens listening to the birds singing.

Then along came Banks Developments (a cheerful group of people from the North East) to save the world and make some money along the way!A proposal to erect 125mtr high turbines on the Westfield Lane site just across the road.Their enthusiasm to trickle a little more electricity into the area already housing three power stations was overwhelming.Convinced they would make a great difference to the renewable energy target in the area they presented their proposal to WMDC planning dept,at the same time held a public exhibition. Even suggesting that Banks would make donations to worthy causes in the area being a benevolent company.

The plans submitted were as professional as their employees, or were they? An empty 7acre site marked’ caravan site’ was there for all to see.Oh you may think a caravan touring park just behind West Park Terrace and West Park Drive residential properties well it wont effect them!The residents of West Park Homes would beg to differ over 170 of them!over 200 counting the Drive & Terrace.Suddenly the realisation hit home the residents were being ignored their existence denied.This was not an empty touring park but a residential park consisting of over 80 luxury park homes wooden construction but nevertheless there they were.

Turbines erected within 700mtrs of residential dwellings home to retired people whose disposable income would not allow another move.Home to people who were now going to be overshadowed by monster turbines elderly people who already suffer with degeneration caused by age would now be subjected to sleep deprivation,shadow flicker and the quiet enjoyment of their homes &gardens (human rights) would be denied them.

I ask the question can this be allowed in order to line the pockets of the developers who have seen a niche in the market to boost their coffers? Maybe their elderly relations would care to purchase a park home and live under the shadow of the monster turbines it is my belief that they would not.Please if you have not made your objections heard do so without delay your objection may just save over 200 people from spending the autumn of their lives in misery.

For further info log onto www.dated.org.uk or www.wphag.co.uk or tel 07960980865.

This article was written on behalf of West Park Hamlet.
by Sylvia White

Banks Developments wins Wind Mast Appeal

Published 01-02-2008

The Application for a Wind Mast on land adjacent to Westfield Lane,Darrington was finally approved by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State on the 27 December 2007. This was just over 10 months since the Application was first submitted to the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Planning Department.
The decision, although a disappointment to members of The Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group, was inevitable, considering the high profile pressure being exerted by national government to establish some visible proof of their commitment to Renewable Energy.
The main objective of The W.P.H.A.G. is to prevent the construction of a Wind Farm in the South Pontefract Area and we will not be detracted from achieving this objective by this minor setback.The Wind Farm developer Banks Developments Ltd, in seeking this decision from the Inspectorate will not be too pleased with the findings of Inspector Philip Major.
The Application for a Wind Mast on land adjacent to Westfield Lane,Darrington was finally approved by an inspector appointed by the Secretary of State on the 27 December 2007. This was just over 10 months since the Application was first submitted to the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council Planning Department. The decision, although a disappointment to members of The W.P.H.A.G. , was inevitable, considering the high profile pressure being exerted by national government to establish some visible proof of their commitment to Renewable Energy. The main objective of The D.A.T.E.D. Action Group is to prevent the construction of a Wind Farm in the South Pontefract Area and we will not be detracted from achieving this objective by this minor setback.

The Wind Farm developer Banks Developments Ltd, in seeking this decision from the Inspectorate will not be too pleased with the findings of Inspector Philip Major. Conditions attached to the decision give them a maximum of three years to complete their investigation and return the land to it’s original state and they have to complete a comprehensive recording to protect the archaeology of the area, a potentially expensive exercise.
From a planning point of view the report by Philip Major is a document,written by an experienced professional,which presents a qualified view of the landscape and the possible harm that any inappropriate construction could cause. He states ,for example:-
“Particularly when seen from the west,the ridge is an attractive and relatively unspoilt tract of countryside which clearly offers a valuable recreational resource” "views towards the west are impressive and encompass countryside and villages which are also relatively unspoilt” “the rolling agricultural land is a valuable resource close to densely populated and industrialised locations”

When assessing impact on Landscape these are very strong words from a qualified inspector and establish without doubt the level of harm a six turbine Wind Farm would cause. Philip Major goes on to say:- “I am informed that UDP Policy OL20 is supportive of renewable energy proposals where, amongst other things, the effects on the landscape of the area,are acceptable.Though I do not have a full extract of that policy,in view of the fact I have determined the proposal would result in some harm to the landscape,I conclude that there is conflict with the policy.”

What we have to bear in mind is that Philip Major is only considering a slender wind mast and mitigates the “ conflict with the policy” by the minor nature of the development.In the case of the Wind Farm ,however, the landscape description remains but it will be difficult to establish mitigating circumstances, such as minor intrusion, when talking about third generation wind turbines or even ancilliary buildings.
The D.A.T.E.D. Action Group. urge the case officers involved with the determination of this Windfarm Application to seriously take on board the comments of Philip Major. Tony Hames, Chairman of Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group commented:-
"We endorse the fact that the area is “ a valuable recreational resource” and that the “countryside and villages are relatively unspoilt” and the fact that he states there is a conflict with policy means there is only one possible decision for this proposal, - REJECTION."

Public Meeting at Darrington Golf Club

Another Full House at the Darrington Golf Club.
Residents from local communities gathered in the Main Hall at Darrington Golf Club to hear the latest details in the fight to stop a Wind Farm Development on Westfield Lane Darrington.

More than 100 + concerned residents heard Chairman, Tony Hames (PWAG) open the meeting and discuss several important issues regarding the application to erect a wind monitoring mast at the Westfield Lane site. Mr Hames indicated that a delay of up to 19 weeks was now possible before an independent site inspection could be made, with at least another 5 weeks before the results were known. Bringing the date to around early to mid March 2008.

Geoff Shackleton spoke about why we were objecting to the proposed development. Ron Watson also spoke about the long-term effects of ultra sound generated by wind farms. All in all quite an in depth report, details about the effects of ultra sound and the effects on the human body can be found in our technical section.

Les Driffield, a resident of East Hardwick, spoke of the urgency to continue lodging objection letters. He stated that reports had been received from various sources that market traders in areas that would not be directly effected by the wind farm, had stalls advertising support for the wind farm campaign but further investigation revealed the petition was a vote in favour of the wind farm. He urged all residents to contact friends and families and to get them to lodge objections.
Letters of objection currently stand at around 1360, with 400 voting in favour.

The meeting closed at 21:15

Proper Grounds for Objection

1. The proposed development consisting of 125m high industrial wind turbine generators is totally out of scale with surrounding villages, rural landscapes and listed buildings.
2. The impact on the landscape character of Went Edge is severe.
3. The view from the Grade 1 listed Darrington Parish Church will become an industrial landscape which is unacceptable.
4. The proposed site is Green Belt and the proposal contravenes a wide range of planning policies.
5. The `very special circumstances’ necessary to develop Green Belt land were not justified. Fossil fuel burning power stations must remain fully powered up. Wind power cannot be stored.
6. The turbines would be too close to houses.
7. Local residents would be adversely affected by noise during the day and night.
8. The proximity of the turbines will put the health and welfare of residents at risk.
9. The wind farm presents unacceptable risks to the safety of the general public.
10. The assessment that between 100 and 200 periods of `Shadow Flicker’ will occur per year is an unacceptable nuisance.
11 .The distraction of the wind farm would increase the risk of accidents on the A1 trunk road to an unacceptable degree.
12. The risk to wildlife (particularly birds, bats and badgers) and the ecology of the area must be revisited in a more comprehensive manner.
13. A detailed engineering investigation into loss of TV reception is needed.
14. Darrington Church (Grade 1 Listed)
If this application is successful, then further developments will follow. The cost to this community and others indirectly affected will be traumatic.

Banks Developments appeal against wind mast refusal

On 10 September 2007 Banks Developments appealled to The Planning Inspectorate against the Wakefield MDC refusal to allow the erection of a wind mast in Darrington. The Planning Inspectorate main role is the processing of planning and enforcement appeals and holding inquiries into local development plans.

The Wakefield MDC Planning Committee voted on Friday 13 July 2007 to reject the Planning Application to erect a 60m high wind monitoring mast on Went Edge between Darrington and Wentbridge. Banks Developments applied for planning permission to erect the mast as a precursor to their application to build six 125m tall wind turbines near the same site. Of the 11 Councillors present nine voted to reject the Planning Application having visited the intended site on Tuesday 10 July 2007. Two Councillors were unable to vote due to a conflict of interest.

The Inspector who will be appointed to adjudicate on this appeal will be given copies of all the letters previously submitted. However further letters can be sent to them from:-
a) those who did not write last time and
b) people who did write and have something new or extra to say.
Letters, in three copies, should be sent to:

The Planning Inspectorate, 3/18b Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol BS1 6PN. quoting case reference no. APP/X4725/A/07/2051921 and must be received by 22 October 2007.
Alternatively, you can comment on the Appeal using the online appeals service through the Appeals area of the Planning Portal - see http://www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/CaseSearch.asp inserting the case reference number shown above.
A spokesperson for D.A.T.E.D said " it is very important that as many people as possible write to the Planning Inspectorate opposing this wind mast. Equally we still need local residents and anyone who oppose this potential wind farm development to send in a letter of objection to Wakefield MDC planning Department. We have had a huge response with almost 1200 objections - but we still need more!!"

D.A.T.E.D. submits formal Objection Document to WMDC

D.A.T.E.D. has worked with a group of experts to produce a formal Objection Document which has now been handed to WMDC Planning Officers. This document explains in detail why Planning Approval must be refused including:
1. The Planning Application Document itself is deeply flawed with significant omissions and inconsistencies.
2. The turbines are too close to residential dwellings.
3. The impact on the Landscape Character of Went Edge is severe.
4. The proposed site is Green Belt and this proposal contravenes a wide range of planning policies.
5. Local residents would be adversely affected by noise day and night.
6. The assessment of the incidence of ‘Shadow Flicker’ demonstrates that its occurrence will be an unacceptable nuisance.
7. The distraction of the wind farm in such close proximity to the A1 trunk road will increase the risk of accidents.
8. There is a risk of aircraft accidents caused by spurious radar images.
9. There is a high probability of loss of TV reception.
10. The wind farm presents unacceptable risks to public safety.
11. The huge local opposition to this proposal indicates the depth of feeling among residents of many communities.
12. The detrimental impact on the local economy seriously degrades the attractiveness of the area.

Wind farm plan blown away

CAMPAIGNERS against plans for a wind monitoring mast – the first step towards a wind farm in Darrington – are celebrating after the proposal was rejected by council chiefs.
Banks Developments’ application for a 60 metre high mast on Westfield Lane had been recommended for approval at a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Friday – but was turned down in a unaniminous vote by councillors. The firm has also submitted a separate planning application for a six turbine wind farm on land between the A1 and Went Hill Ridge.
More than 700 villagers have objected to Banks’ proposals and set up an action group to battle the plans. Tony Hames, a founding member of the Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group said: “Friday’s decision is a victory for common sense. Its fantastic news and the lift that the group needed because we’ve got a long fight ahead. “I hope more people of Pontefract will join us and help stop these plans.” speaking at the meeting, Pontefract South councillor Trevor Izon said: “This application was a crafty way of getting a toe hold in the area to make a wind farm application easier to approve.”
Chairman of East Hardwick Parish Council Les Driffield added: “We’re all elated by the good news. “Everybody in the village is against these plans and this is the first step towards stopping a wind farm.”
Rob Williams, senior project manager at Banks Developments, said: “We are obviously very disappointed that this application has been refused by the planning committee, especially when their decision goes directly against the council officers’ recommendation for approval.

“We will wait for clarification on the exact reasons for the committee’s decision before lodging an appeal.” A date for a planning meeting to consider the full wind farm application has not yet been decided

Wind mast Planning Application Rejected!

The Wakefield MDC Planning Committee voted on Friday 13 July 2007 to reject the Planning Application to erect a 60m high wind monitoring mast on Went Edge between Darrington and Wentbridge. Banks Developments applied for planning permission (07/00212/FUL) to erect the mast on land adjacent to Westfield Lane, Darrington as a precursor to their recent application to build six 125m tall wind turbines (Planning Application No: 07/01338/FUL) near the same site. Of the 11 Councillors present 9 voted to reject the Planning Application having visited the intended site on Tuesday 10 July 2007. Two Councillors were unable to vote due to a conflict of interest. Members of PWAG were in County Hall to hear the Planning Application unanimously rejected by all those Councillors able to vote. Tony Hames, Chairman of PWAG said "This is absolutely brilliant news for all the local communities that would have been affected. This has shown how important it is for local residents to send in their letters of objection and to tell the Planning Committee members that they do not want this beautiful natural landscape industrialised!".

Blimp protest move to halt windfarm bid

By Stuart Robinson
THE CAMPAIGN to halt controversial plans for a windfarm near Pontefract will take to the skies this weekend. Campaigners will launch a blimp which will float at the same height as the proposed turbines, close to the site off Westfield Lane, Darrington. The airborne demonstration is aimed at illustrating to local residents exactly how high the turbines, which are being planned by, Banks Developments, would be if the scheme is approved by the council.
The Pontefract Windfarm Action Group(PWAG) have arranged for a blimp which, weather permitting, will fly on Saturdays,Sundays and Tuesdays.
Angry residents have pledged to fight the windfarm plans, saying it will be an eyesore, is too close to their homes and will hit property prices. Banks have said the turbines could provide renewable power for up to 8,000 homes. A spokesman for PWAG said: "The blimp will fly at the same height as the proposed turbines. "This will give the most accurate impression to date of how high the structures will be. "However the blimp, at a little over 20ft long, will be less than a tenth of the width of one turbine, of which six are currently proposed.

Silent

Wind mast application

"It will be silent and will not cause a flicker effect, unlike the real thing. "It will however be visible for miles around, residents, motorists, walkers, cyclists, horse riders and owners will be able to envisage for the first time just how detrimental these turbines would be." Over 760 people have already made their voices heard by objecting to plans for a 60m high wind monitoring mast on the site. That application is recommended for approval at a meeting of Wakefield Council's planning and highways chiefs tomorrow and the mast will be used to gather information ahead of any wind turbines being built.
But a report to the panel stresses that approval of the monitoring mast should not been seen as implying that the plans for the wind turbines will also be given the green light. The application for the turbines has been submitted and is awaiting consideration by the committee. PWAG is now urging residents to keep making their voices heard over the windfarm plans. Objections to the monitoring mast do not count and new objections and comments to the wind farm planning application must be made.
The correct planning reference is 07/01338/FUL.
Comments should be sent to the planning dept for the attention of Becky Walker,Newton Bar,Leeds Road,Wakefield, WF1 2TX

Application to be heard

In May 2007 Wakefield MDC deferred the hearing for a planning application to erect a 60m high wind monitoring mast on Went Edge between Darrington and Wentbridge. However the Planning Department have now decided that the application will be heard on Friday 13 July 2007. It is not known whether this is the only planning application being heard on that date. Banks Developments applied for planning permission (07/00212/FUL) to erect the mast on land adjacent to Westfield Lane, Darrington as a precursor to their recent application to build six 125m tall wind turbines (planning application no: 07/01338/FUL) near the same site. The 18 members who make up the Wakefield MDC Planning Committee are expected to visit the site on Tuesday 10 July 2007 to see for themselves where it is planned to erect this wind mast if the application is approved. It is not known what time the Planning Committee will visit. So if you want to make sure the Planning Committee know yours views about this proposed development then come along to the site on Tuesday.
Watch this site - if we are able to find out the time of the visit, we will put it on our website. Tony Hames, Chairman of PWAG said "Please come along on Tuesday and give us your support. We need to stop this industrialisation of our countryside and preserve this natural landscape. Dependant upon the weather we intend to fly our blimp at 125m above Went Edge on Tuesday between 10am and 7pm to ensure all the local residents and the Planning Committee can see how enormous the wind turbines will be if planning application is approved "

Yvette Cooper Visits West Park Homes

Our local Member for Parliament, Yvette Cooper visited West Park Homes on Friday 22 June 2007 to meet local residents and listen to their views regarding the recent planning application to erect six 125m tall wind turbines on Went

Edge between Darrington and Wentbridge. Yvette was welcomed by the owner Mrs Valerie Miller and met with a number of residents who discussed their concerns about erecting a wind farm so close to domestic dwellings and to the A1. Yvette listened carefully as residents highlighted their fears of the potential of shadow flicker which is caused by wind turbine blades as they rotate, cutting through the rays from the sun or moon resulting in a strobe-light effect. Residents believe this could have potential serious consequences for drivers in the nearby vicinity, particularly the very busy A1, and for properties on West Park. Noise from the wind turbines was also raised as a potential problem particularly later in the evening when traffic on the A1 reduces.
Valerie Miller commented "We are grateful that Yvette could spare some time from her busy schedule to visit West Park Homes and give us the opportunity to discuss our concerns about this planning application."

Planning application for wind mast deferred

Wakefield MDC have deferred the hearing for a planning application to erect a 60m high wind monitoring mast that was due to be heard next Thursday 24 May 2007. It will now not be heard until the June 2007 meeting of the Planning Committee at the earliest. Banks Developments applied for planning permission (07/00212/FUL) to erect the mast on land adjacent to Westfield Lane, Darrington as a precursor to their recent application to build six 125m tall wind turbines (planning application no: 07/01338/FUL
"This can only be good news for our local communities. Any delay to the planning application will assist our campaign to stop this industrialisation of our countryside and preserve this natural landscape ".

THE first step in plans for a wind farm on land near Darrington looks set for approval.

An application to erect a 60m-high wind monitoring mast has been recommended for approval by Wakefield Council planning officers at a meeting this week. More than 700 residents have objected to the application, and are set to make their voices heard at this week's meeting. The mast will be put in place ahead of a scheme to build six wind turbines on the site off Westfield Lane. Plans for that project have already been submitted and are yet to go before the planning committee. The wind monitoring mast will be used to collect wind data and, if approved, will be in place for a maximum of three years gathering information. Furious residents have vowed to fight the wind farm plans by developers Banks Developments Ltd, saying the farm will be too close to residential areas, will be an eyesore and will affect the value of their homes. But a report to the council's Planning and Highways Committee, which meets on Friday, says: "Over 730 letters of objection have been received. The letters express concerns regarding the possibility of the wind farm and its impacts.

Potential

"However, this application is to be determined on its own merits and not as a precursor for a wind farm." Protestors have already been going head-to-head with developers at public exhibitions held to showcase the scheme. Banks showcased their plans for six turbines in two exhibitions in Carleton and Wentbridge. But action groups protesting against the wind farm displayed their own exhibitions at the same venues. Tony Hames, chairman of Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group, said: "This wind mast is an integral part of the wind farm development and we intend to fight it all the way. "We will be there at the meeting and we'll be making our voices heard with the support of our local councillors." Banks say the wind farm would generate enough energy to power around one in 20 of all the homes in Wakefield, and would meet the city's renewable energy targets for the rest of the decade. A statement from Banks on the planning report says: "The data from the proposed 60m mast is a very important part of evaluating the renewable energy potential of the site. "Wind information currently available about the site shows the site has a good wind resource for commercial wind energy development, which is why Banks has decided to progress with the site. However on-site monitoring is required to evaluate the wind resource in detail."