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MP wants restrictions put on wind turbines
Credit: by JOHN CROSSLEY, Burton Mail, www.burtonmail.co.uk 13 November 2010 ~~
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Wind turbines would be kept away from local housing under a law being put forward by Burton’s MP.
Conservative Andrew Griffiths is co-sponsoring the Bill, which if it became law, would enable councils to only approve applications for structures if they were at least 1km away from the nearest residential property, or 2km for larger turbines and wind farms.
This would directly impact on any future applications similar to a proposed development in Anslow, where egg farmer Frank Thompstone hopes to build a 160-foot turbine to help power his egg farming business. However, Mr Thompstone’s application could still be approved under the existing planning guidelines.
Mr Thomsptone was unavailable for comment, however, he has previously told the Mail the turbine would reduce his carbon footprint and help promote the use of renewable energy.
He said: “We are seeing energy bills going up so we are doing this to be more efficient and we want cheap electricity for our business. If I thought it would be detrimental to the people around us, I would not be doing it.”
Mr Griffiths said that the legislation would offer a ‘buffer-zone’ from wind turbine developments, and he was hopeful on cross-party support.
“While I support the need for more renewable energy, my concern is the impact of wind farms on the people who live close by,” he said.
“We are not talking about the small micro-turbines that people might have on their roof. This law would cover the industrial-sized turbines that are being erected across the countryside.
“As well as the impact these have on the appearance of an area, there is some strong evidence to suggest that placing large turbines too close to people’s houses can pose a risk to people’s health in terms of damage to their hearing, an increase in the number of headaches and a rise in stress levels.”
The Tory MP, who favours turbines being built out at sea, also noted that large-scale industrial developments are not allowed to be built close to homes and in the countryside, but wind farms were an exception to the rule.
“Anything people can do to reduce their energy consumption is good, such as solar power, and insulating their properties.
However, you do need to think about your neighbours and about not ruining the environment around you.”
The white paper is to be submitted to the House of Commons next week.
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