Content © Stopwoodlanewindfarm 2008 - 2011
- Rusholme plans were passed in 2006 but construction did not start until November 2009.
- While construction was fast and efficient this was at the expense of problems suffered by local residents.
- The project revealed the full impact that wind farm construction can have on local residents.
1. Long lasting impact on house prices.
The wind industry claim that house prices are depressed when a wind farm is first proposed. They also claims that they recover after the wind farm has been operational for about two years. In the case of Rusholme this will be a period of 12 years in total since the wind farm was first suggested in 2000. While we do not think they recover after the two year period, it is still unreasonable to put people in a position of not being able to sell their property for its full value for a period of 12 years.
2. Planning conditions can be varied and/or not enforced
Prior to construction commencing a side letter agreement changed the main access route to the site and took all site traffic past the front doors of 8 homes close to the site. This then resulted in nuisance and damage to the properties. This was made worse by there being insufficient effort taken to ensure that all lorries were sheeted to prevent dust blowing into and around the homes.
3. Traffic volumes were underestimated.
Traffic volumes were greater than predicted - during the peak construction period there were approx 3200 HGV loads per month. Each load also required a return journey - an HGV passed directly in front of the homes on the route 6400 times per month.
Rusholme wind farm
One of the 12 x 100 metre turbines at Rusholme. Approx distance 820m.
The developer forecasts traffic volumes for Woodlane at a maximum of 1153 per month versus 3200 at Rusholme.
This figure must be a major underestimate because Woodlane turbines are 25% larger and there are more of them.
4. Local residents felt completely powerless in getting any help in resolving problems
The local residents endured problems of noise, vibration and dust for over a month before any support was forthcoming. Procedures for solving problems between the developer and residents were none existent.
The construction story - available to download as a pdf here.
Summary
- 12 x 100 metre turbines
- Developer - Wind prospect
- Approved 2006
- Construction commenced Nov 2009
- Operational September 2010
Issues for residents
- Contruction traffic volumes.
- Noise and vibration from road building.
- Number of lorries
- 11 hours/day, 6 days/week.
- Traffic congestion.
- Damage to rural roads
- Dust from un-sheeted lorries
- Access road changed without adequate consultation.
- Time taken to get issues resolved.
See the Construction pages for more information.