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Turbine plans spark concern for wildlife
Credit: Hull Daily Mail | January 22, 2013 | www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk ~~
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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.
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.
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.
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