Public's mixed reaction to turbine proposals

Published on 21st September 2006 in News

Members of the public were invited to the Shire Hall in Howden last week to view plans for the proposed Sixpenny Wood wind farm.

Developer Your Energy plans to place 11 wind turbines on land at Balkholme, which would supply electricity to the equivalent of 15,000 homes.

The proposal has been met with disapproval by some members of the community, but Richard Mardon, managing director of Your Energy, said that most people attending last week's exhibition on Thursday, September 14 accepted the plans.

He said: "We've been working on the project for two years and have been talking to local people as well as statutory consultees since the beginning of the year.

"There are very few suitable sites for wind farms in the area, but we have looked at the whole county and found this to be the best. We have fully researched the area and always submit top-quality planning applications, so we are hoping for a clean bill of health from the consultees.

"The purpose of the exhibition was to present our findings to members of the public, and while the initial reaction amongst many was one of concern, most people have kept an open mind about the plans."

The planning application for the proposed wind farm has not yet been submitted to the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, but is expected to be sent within the next six weeks.

However, Sixpenny Wood-Not, the group opposing the proposed wind farm, canvassed members of the public attending the meeting throughout the day and claimed that, of 92 people attended the exhibition, 83 signed a petition organised by the group.

James Stephenson, from Sixpenny Wood-Not, said: "There is clearly not the support for this proposed windfarm, even in a community such as Howden which will not be immediately affected.

"It is now time for Your Energy to think again about this proposal and perhaps look towards an alternative site that will not impact on local communities and local wildlife, and take advantage of elevated ground where the wind conditions are more favourable to the generation of wind-derived energy."