Content © Stopwoodlanewindfarm 2008 - 2011
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Current status ( Updated 20 Sept ) Darrington Quarries - Hook Moor - Spaldington - Byram - Bishopwood - Cleek Hall - Woodlane - Twin Rivers |
Approved 8 June - Byram test mast - Not yet erected
The first step towards the forthcoming application by e-on for 9 x 125 metre turbines in the Green Belt between Birkin and Byram and South of Hillam.
E-on have been given up to three years to erect the mast and up to another three years to have it in position.
If you include the two years since e-on held their public presentations that makes 8 years of uncertainty for residents and an 8 year period in which it will be more difficult to sell a home in the area. Further information including details of location for the test mast
20 Oct - Darrington Quarries - site visit by North Yorks Councillors -
8 x 125 turbines on the landscaped site of the former limestone quarry. Further info about the site.
Questions have been raised about the impact of the development on Womersley Hall, Grade 2 listed. The developer has been asked to submit a report. This will introduce a delay in taking the application to a Planning Committee meeting. In addition to this a site visit has been requested so that N Yorks Councillors have an opportunity to view the proposed location of the wind farm.
Selby District planners recommended refusal, but the decision will be taken by North Yorkshire. The main reason for recommending rejection was that the site is in Green Belt. The Committee was addressed by Councillor Gillian Ivey who added local knowledge to the debate and requested that North Yorks should require that turbine #8, which is nearest to homes, should be excluded if the wind farm was approved.
11 Oct - Hook Moor - Public Inquiry to last 2 days - Leeds Civic Hall - please attend if possible - numbers count. Hook Moor info
This is an important Inquiry because Hook Moor wind farm is the end of the line of proposals stretching all the way from Scunthorpe to Leeds. The site is in Green Belt and the proposal has been turned down twice. The decision by the Inspector from the previous Public Inquiry was quashed on a technicality and another full Inquiry is to be held. Leeds City Council as far as we know are not opposing the wind farm. The main challenge will come from Micklefield Parish Council.
While the site is in Leeds Metropolitan District the turbines are within 5km of Sherburn and there are homes within Selby District closer than 2km. The turbines would be next to the A1M and visible as you come out from Leeds on the A63. The turbines would be visible from Darrington as you travel North on the A1, and from Bramham as you travel South. They would also be visible from the M62 and even from the edge of the North Yorks Moors.
7 Oct - Spaldington - Decision about two wind farms.
The decision following the three week Public Inquiry is expected on 7 October.
Spaldington provides a real taste of the shape of things to come. A village with turbines proposed on both sides as close as 1km and visible from every road into and out of the village. Industrial turbines where it was once open countryside.
No reward for the residents who will help to pay the subsidy of £275k per turbine per year - total subsidy for the two wind farms £3.3 million per year. The lucky local landowners will get £10k to £15k per turbine per year as rent.
Bishopwood, Cleek Hall and Woodlane - Three applications still under consideration by Selby District Council.
A major objection on all three applications ( total 26 x 400foot high turbines) is from the RAF. The turbines will interfere with the radar used for approach and landing at military airfields.
Vesta have announced that they have tested turbine blades with a non reflective coating - stealth version - and say this prevents the interference. It remains to be seen what happens next, but would you want to be landing near to turbines which didn’t show up on radar. See other report
At some point the planning officers reports will be finalised and will be submitted, with the officers recommendation, to a planning committee for a decision.
We will alert you when the time arises - it is important for local people to attend the planning meeting.
200 people in York stopped a test mast from being approved, people power has been shown to work!
Twin River - Construction to start within the next 12 months according to the Selby Post - 8 Sept 2011.
14 turbines of 110m high , 350 feet approx. Annual subsidy of about £3.5Million or £70million over its expected 20 year life - all to be paid by a hidden surcharge on our electricity bills.
The hold up was caused while an access route was agreed. It is hoped that lessons were learnt from Rusholme where the access route took over 10,000 lorries past the front doors of a group of 8 homes.
Not only did the residents suffer from dust and dirt but they also had damage done to their homes by the vibration. A most unpleasant 6 months while the many thousands of tons of crushed stone and concrete were brought to the site to build the foundations for the turbines.
Wind farm construction is anything but green.