335ft wind turbines would 'intimidate' walkers, inquiry told
FOUR 335ft-high wind turbines planned for a Derbyshire beauty spot would “intimidate” visitors, a public inquiry has heard.
Opponents to the plans for Carsington Pasture said the Peak District site was inappropriate for a wind farm.
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DOMINATING LANDSCAPE: An artist's impression of wind turbines on land close to Carsington Water
But developer Carsington Wind Energy Ltd said the 200ft-high tubular steel turbine towers, with rotors up to 275ft in diameter, would generate enough electricity for more than 5,500 homes and were a “direct response” to global warming.
On the first day of the expected eight-day inquiry at Matlock Town Hall yesterday, Carsington and Hopton Parish council chairman Neil Edmiston outlined the authority's objections.
He said: “We believe the site chosen is an inappropriate site for a wind farm.
“We believe the effects on walkers on the close footpaths could be disturbing and intimidating.
“The turbines would be extremely close to one popular footpath from which walkers might feel as if the blades are passing almost over their heads.
“Carsington Pasture is enjoyed for its tranquillity and beauty.
“The movement of the rotors and the sheer size and inappropriate scale of the turbines would have a very negative impact on this.
“We feel the turbine's dominating position, with rotors visible high over the conservation village of Carsington, would be unsettling and oppressive.”
Anthony Crean QC, acting on behalf of Derbyshire Dales District Council, which rejected the original plan, said: “The landscape with which this inquiry is concerned is natural, delicate and beautiful.
“The proposed development will harm this landscape.”
But Jeremy Pike QC, who represented the developers, said: “The proposal comes forward as a direct consequence of, and in direct response to, potentially catastrophic climate change resulting from man's influence upon the environment.
“The proposed development would make a significant contribution to the Government's renewable energy targets.”
He said the company was not required to provided information relating to potential alternative sites for turbines.
The turbines would generate enough electricity for more than 5,500 homes and local companies would be able to bid for construction contracts worth around £1.5m.
Carsington Wind Energy Ltd wants to build the turbines, along with a sub-station, on a 40-acre site in Manystones Lane, Carsington.
The company appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after Derbyshire Dales District Council refused planning permission last July.
Later this week, the inquiry is expected to hear from Peter Gibbon, chairman of Carsington Bird Club, and Janice Southway, from the Protect Carsington and Hopton Action Group, which has collected a 750-name protest petition.
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by nikki simpson, derby
Wednesday, July 02 2008, 1:43PM
“All this talk about damaging the beautiful landscape etc, do you not see that these turbines are a good thing if you only look at the reasons behind them, they are being used as a bid to save what beauty we have, that beauty which we have not already destroyed with our pollution. I truly cant understand the problem, id have one in my garden if i thought it would help! Im no big activist or anything just a normal person but if you look at them in this way, maybe you can look at them for their own beauty. Yes they're big and man made but so is carsington and we've grown to love that? they really are a wonderful sight to behold in my opinion so lets let them put them up and get on It... With regards to the birds...Should we ban planes too because some will fly into the engines?”
by Mr Bronson, belper
Wednesday, July 02 2008, 1:42PM
“True Sandra, perhaps we should go to Cornwall and Devon and count how birds are now ex-birds. I suggest some head protection maybe required as they will be falling from the skies as we dodge the invisible spinning blades.”
by Sandra, belper
Wednesday, July 02 2008, 1:26PM
“"when in spin the rotors cannot be seen"?? soomebody obviously hasn't seen any! There are lots of them in beautiful areas of Cornwall and they do not spoil the vview at all”
by Mr Bronson, belper
Wednesday, July 02 2008, 12:35PM
“That sound abit daft to be Oscar. I'll bow down to your greatness if the local birdlife population does takes a hit because of a wind turbine. I doubt I'll be dusting my knees off though.”
by oscar, derby
Wednesday, July 02 2008, 12:26PM
“I am glad that this scheme wont be going ahead, for now at least. There needs to be more research done on the effect on birdlife that these turbines have. When in spin the rotors cannot be seen and birds try to fly through them with dire results. Carsington is, after all, a wildlife sanctory and many birds are attracted there.”