Firm reveals plan for second town windfarm; Village residents hit out at scheme 

New plans have emerged for a windfarm in Doncaster just as a public inquiry is about to get under way for a similar scheme nearby.

Banks Developments is proposing to site a wind farm to the south of Marr Village, just outside the town.

The firm has recently submitted a report to Doncaster Council setting out the issues which would need to be considered in a future planning application.

Initial proposals include between four and seven turbines with a maximum height of 125 metres .

Banks estimates these turbines could provide enough green electricity for up to 8,000 homes.

A final layout will be drawn up following consultation.

However, local residents have hit out at the plans, saying they are too close to nearby villages.

This comes as a public inquiry is about to get under way in Goole over plans for dozens of turbines around villages near Thorne, Doncaster.

Marr resident Elinor Thomas said: “They (Banks) propose to site a windfarm almost circling Melton Wood, between Marr and High Melton.

“The site is less than a kilometre from both villages – encompassing public footpaths and bridleways – and roughly two kilometres from Sprotbrough.

“Hours of research on the Internet has confirmed my belief that windfarms create more adverse effects than benefits.”

The Marr plans were revealed to local people two weeks ago at a public exhibition.

Notices have also been pushed through doors.

However, Banks chiefs say the outline proposal is only for a “small” windfarm, but one which could help deliver Doncaster’s renewable energy target for 2010.

They say the proposal also includes a Marr Community Benefits Fund, which would provide support for local community projects and organisations.

Following the exhibition, feedback from the local community and statutory consultees will be analysed and a detailed design will be drawn up taking any comments into account.

A planning application is expected to be submitted to Doncaster Council before the end of the year.

Project manager Rob Williams said: “The proposed wind farm south of Marr is on a small scale, with a maximum of seven turbines planned for the site, but it still has the potential to meet the area’s renewable energy targets until the end of the decade.

“Banks Developments is recognised within our industry for our development with care approach which involves close consultation with local communities at the early stages of our schemes.”

Meanwhile countryside watchdog the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has joined local people in protesting about the venue of a major public inquiry into a massive wind farm at Thorne, near Doncaster.

Although most of the planned 22 turbines, by energy giant E.ON, will be in the Doncaster area, the inquiry is to be held over the border in Goole early next year ““ which campaigners say is entirely the wrong place.

CPRE spokesman Andy Tickle said: “We wholeheartedly support the local groups who say that Goole is very difficult to reach by public transport, and the venue itself is inadequate.”

The public inquiry, which is expected to last at least six weeks, will focus on E-ON’s proposal to site giant wind turbines on land which is adjacent to the Thorne and Hatfield Moors National Nature Reserve.

Campaigners say the turbines will be visible from the unique moors landscape and for miles around.

The inquiry will also examine plans to build a larger wind farm at Keadby in North Lincolnshire.
Meanwhile Banks Developments has also just submitted proposals to site three giant wind turbines in the Penistone area of Barnsley ““ which has also attracted widespread condemnation from local residents in the area.

By Emma Dunlop
emma.dunlop@ypn.co.uk

yorkshiretoday.co.uk