8:50am Monday 28th September 2009
MASSIVE protests have blown up against proposals for two wind farms in the Selby district.
Scores of local residents have lodged objections to the plans by Prowind to construct seven, 125 metre-tall turbines on land north of Hambleton and Thorpe Willoughby, and 14 of the same height on a site between Gateforth, Birkin and West Haddlesey.
Prowind estimates that, every year, the development near Hambleton – which would be known as Bishopwood Wind Farm – would generate electricity for about 10,500 homes, and the one near Gateforth – which would be called Woodlane Wind Farm – enough for 21,000 dwellings. Residents claim the wind farms would ruin the outlook, reduce the value of properties and even affect golfers’ play on a golf course.
St Mary’s Church, in Birkin, has submitted a petition to Selby District Council, signed by 67 people, against wind turbines being sited within view of the building, claiming: “It would affect the setting of the church and its position in the village as a place of worship and for the celebration of baptisms, marriages and funerals.”
One resident wrote on the authority’s website that the turbines at the Bishopwood Wind Farm would ruin the outlook to and from several listed buildings in the area, including Gateforth Hall, Birkin Church, Gateforth Lodge and Monk Fryston Hall.
Another said the proximity of the wind farm to Hambleton and Thorpe Willoughby would reduce the value of nearby properties and put people off living in the area.
Scalm Park Golf Club, which is close to where the development would be, claims one of the turbines there would cause severe problems in discerning the flight of balls from part of the course.
Prowind has said the layout of Bishopwood Wind Farm has been carefully designed to minimise impact on the landscape, the environment and residents, with each turbine situated at least at the minimum required distance from houses, watercourses, ponds, woodland and roads.
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