VISIT TO SWINFORD WIND FARM, LEICESTERSHIRE,
17 MAY 2014 - FEEDBACK COMMENTS
17 MAY 2014 - FEEDBACK COMMENTS
The following is a summary of the key comments provided by supporters of PNF following the visit organised by Vattenfall to their operational wind farm at Swinford, Leicestershire. Several PNF members also visited Swinford the week before at the invitation of the chairman of the local action group who unsuccessfully opposed the development.
The complete text of comments from each contributor can be found here. There are more comments with photos available on the Nocton Blog.
- The turbines at Swinford are significantly smaller and fewer in number than is proposed at Nocton Fen. The landscape is also very undulating and consequently from certain views the turbines are not visible, completely different to Nocton Fen.
- The Swinford site is within a few miles of the M1 motorway and the traffic noise is very noticeable all the time. This is very different to Nocton Fen where we have very little background noise.
- It was a very sunny day the “flicker” effect from the turning blades of the turbines to be very noticeable and disturbing.
- The community donation (bung) from Vattenfall to the communities for x11 turbines was only in the figure of £50,000 per year; this was split between 8 villages. The split between the villages ranged between £2000 - £12,000 depending on inhabitants of the village and their vicinity to the Wind Farm but came with heavy caveats from Vattenfall.
- Vattenfall can turn off community funds at any time hence this money is not guaranteed.
- The community donation has created a substantial split between the local communities during the fight, something that has been to the detriment to local community spirit.
- One local resident was very angry and that the Swinford wind farm had devalued his house by ~ £40,000.
- There were 6 or 7 other wind turbines close to the Swinford wind farm. Since the wind farm was built, more turbines have been built showing what a "domino effect" one wind farm can produce for approving planning for more.
Keeping on the Nocton wind farm theme I called in again today (3rd time) for one of the consultation meetings at Metheringham.
ReplyDeleteBy all accounts the turn out at Branston last week was rather low, despite people in Washingborough and Heighington also having been notified. I suppose they feel less affected than those living in closer villages. One point I discussed today with one of Vattenfall's rep was how far the community fund money might be spread, that is if the wind farm goes ahead.
Certainly I understand Lincoln and Sleaford would not benefit.
There will be a collation of people's comments/responses in due course on the website, and I understand some time in the new year there will be a further round of consultation meetings when more detailed information will be published. Whatever your views on the proposed wind farm you have to admit that Vattenfall are making every effort to consult with local communities, but actually it seems that judging by numbers at meetings, there are a large majority in the villages who don't seem too bothered either way (absence speaks louder then words!!).
Of course at the end of the day the final decision will not depend on numbers for or against, but on how the Planning Inspectorate sees the strength and validity of arguments put forward by either side.
Richard
PS I just wish a few more people would take the time to voice their views on this forum about the Nocton wind farm proposal.
Once again, thanks very much for your contribution Richard.
ReplyDeletePopped along this afternoon to Dunston for my 4th consultation visit, and there were some people looking round. I just spent the time talking to the Vattenfall representatives, who were as always very affable. The fact remains that whatever your views the best way of having any influence on the contents of the final application is to voice your views now, rather than wait until later next year.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally I was surprised to discover today that last night there had been a debate in Bardney about the pros and cons of wind farms, similar to the one earlier in the year at Metheringham. If I had known about it I would have gone along myself.
Still waiting to hear other people's comments, or should I still living in hope of someone writing on this thread!
Richard