Objection to the Erection of Wind Turbines Near Hatch Lane, Weston 

This document is a submission by the Weston Wind Turbine Working Group to North Hertfordshire District Council objecting to planning application 08/00047/1.

The application is by Weston Park Farms (the Developer) for Full Planning Permission: Change of use of agricultural land and siting of 3x120m Wind Turbines (2MW), 1x 52.5m wind speed mast, access tracks and detached equipment building, Weston Hills, off Hatch Lane, Weston, SG4 7EB. …

The contributors to this document are experienced professionals in a variety of fields including academic research methodology, project management, applied biology and engineers in various areas including aerospace and civil engineering.

A great deal of research has been undertaken to ensure that the technical content of this report is accurate and is supported by verifiable data.

We are seeking to demonstrate that the siting of the wind turbine cluster on Weston Hills cannot be allowed to proceed and to urge the Planning Department and the Planning Control Committee of North Hertfordshire District Council to refuse this application.

We have sought to avoid the cutting and pasting of large sections from well known and much-visited anti-wind farm websites. Inevitably some use has been made of material obtained from the Internet, though these are in the main planning documents, inspectors’ reports and authoritative and independent documents.

Of particular assistance, has been Government Inspectors’ Reports in connection with developers’ appeals against planning refusal. These thorough investigations have provided an invaluable insight into the process of investigating the true impact of wind farms on local communities. …

We recognise that there are pressures on the UK Government and local government to contribute to the UK’s renewable energy commitment. We understand that NHDC is not required to consider the merits of wind technology. Whilst we are convinced that some of the political, strategic and economic imperatives driving this commitment are seriously flawed, these are not seen as an issue that can be dealt with in this document other than to demonstrate that the benefits of the proposal are considerably exaggerated and that there is no over-arching need in Hertfordshire for a wind farm in this location. Even if the claims are accepted and even if the turbines were to have a capacity factor of 1 (ie 100% efficient) the amount of electricity produced is not sufficient to justify the harm that will be done. The planning authority does have to take into account the detrimental impact of this proposal and weigh it against the theoretical benefits.

We have also sought to avoid knee jerk reactions and emotional arguments. We see it as regretful, however, that objectors must restrict their arguments to those areas covered by the planning process otherwise their case will in effect be ignored. Whereas those in favour merely have to publish their support backing it up with emotional, green issues and economic sentiment which are not core planning issues.

The Government Document Planning Policy Statement 22 (PPS22) states “that wind farm developments should not be excluded if it can be demonstrated that the wider environmental benefits outweigh any harm by reason of inappropriateness”.

It is our intention to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt that this site is inappropriate and trust that the planning authority will rigorously examine the claimed economic and environmental benefit.

Includes good photo simulations.

Download original document: “Objection to the Erection of Wind Turbines Near Hatch Lane, Weston”