Wind farm developers’ measures  ‘fail to counter threat to birds’

Credit: The Yorkshire Post | 15 May 2014 | www.yorkshirepost.co.uk ~~

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Conservationists are concerned about the impact that doubling the size of a large wind farm near the Humber will have on birds.

RWE Npower Renewables are seeking planning permission to add 17 more turbines to the Goole Fields site, close to the Humber to the south of Goole, making a total of 33.

But Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is objecting because of the site’s proximity to the Humber and Thorne and Hatfield Moors, home to an internationally important population of breeding nightjar. They say not enough information has been given to assess the effects on the species and other wintering birds.

The RSPB, which has also objected, say the mitigation measures put forward by the developer “offer little” to offset the loss of habitat for species including lapwing and golden plover.

While Goole Town Council is not objecting, two parish councils, Swinefleet and Airmyn, have complained of becoming surrounded by wind turbines. One local said living inside a massive wind farm “is distressing, oppressive and intimidating”.

However, other residents have written 77 standard letters of support, hailing the opportunities for new jobs and a community benefit fund, which will be worth £1.3m over the lifetime of the farm.

The council has also been sent another 171 letters supporting onshore wind.

Planners at East Riding Council are recommending approval of the plans which will be discussed next week. They admit that it will spoil certain short to medium range views, but claim overall it is “acceptable” and the development can be “appropriately mitigated” despite the concerns of the RSPB and other groups.

Goole councillor Keith Moore said he had not picked up concerns about the wind farm, and added: “I think in the main people appreciate we are catching up with Europe with this sort of technology – and there is also generous income for the local community derived from it.”

Source: The Yorkshire Post | 15 May 2014 | www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

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