A parish council facing the threat of a crop of massive turbines on its doorstep has published a new policy statement opposing wind farms.
Pinchbeck councillors came up with the statement in response to proposals by Wind Ventures to put up nine 125m tall turbines at The Delph, West Pinchbeck – leaving many residents concerned about the impact on them and wildlife.
Its release coincided with a public exhibition by the developer in the village last week, which gave those living nearby the opportunity to find out more about what was planned.
Coun Richard Dobbs, who represents Pinchbeck West on the parish council, said: “The purpose of the document is to support the general feeling in the parish against wind farms.
“We are rather well surrounded by them already and we don’t want any more on our doorstep.”
The wind turbine policy follows a similar statement issued by Lincolnshire County Council earlier this year.
Some of the main points in Pinchbeck Parish Council’s documents include:
• there are already a large number of wind turbines clearly visible from within the parish
• the parish is bounded by important wetland areas and is a haven for all kinds of indigenous wildlife
• existing residential developments and the quality of life of those in the parish must be maintained and not impinged upon by noise, amplitude modulation, flicker, shadow and low frequency sound or vibration
• local roads are not suitable as access for any heavy construction vehicles
Other points suggest wind turbines would “visually compromise” buildings of historic and architectural interest and a negative impact on local economy, particularly tourism to areas such as Willow Tree Fen nature reserve.
• Lincolnshire County Council issued its own policy statement on wind farms in June, which described turbines as “alien” structures resulting in the industrialisation of a rural county. The aim was to halt what it called the “unrestrained invasion” across the county’s countryside in the wake of a proliferation of new wind farms in recent years. In a statement, councillors said that although they were supportive of alternative energy supplies for the future, they questioned the effectiveness of wind farm technology, and were concerned about the visual impact for residents and on tourism in the county.