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Opposition over winds of change
Plan: Proposals for a wind turbine in Chipping have sparked mixed views
Plans for a 40 metre high wind turbine at Chipping - within one of the area’s most spectacular landscapes - is meeting with mixed opinion.
A Chipping resident who fears the turbine could set a precedent for more to spring up throughout the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is calling on others who feel likewise to set up a co-ordinated approach to object.
The National Air Traffic Service NATS is also objecting to the plans and claims that based on its “preliminary technical findings” the proposed development conflicts with its “safeguarding criteria”.
But Chipping Parish Council will not be objecting.
Parish clerk Barbara Green said: “We have a village plan and in the plan we agreed to support renewable energy.”
She said councillors felt the turbine would not impact on the view from the village, but should there be any further applications for turbines they would judge each one on its merits. They did not want this to set a precedent.
Farmer Anthony Rogerson has applied to Ribble Valley Council to erect a CF 50KW wind turbine, 39.65m high from the blade to the tip, on land at Handlesteads Farm on Collins Hill Lane, to provide power for his cattle and sheep farm, fencing business and farmhouse.
The Chipping resident who does not wish to be named at this stage, believes Ribble Valley Council has only contacted those in the immediate vicinity to the site and says that together with his wife, they are currently sending out letters not only to those living closest, but also to those further afield to ensure everyone is aware of the turbine plans.
He says they wish to gauge people’s opinion and if others feel likewise, set up a small group, as the deadline for comments is the end of next week.
They say their main objection is that the turbine would be within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Besides the turbine’s impact on the environment and that it would set a precedent, they are also concerned about the wildlife, particularly protected species such as the brown hare and the larger and rarer birds not mentioned within the application and say they will be contacting the RSPB.
Also, he said: “Our belief is that the power the turbine can generate will be way above what the farmer needs and it is more about selling to the national grid.
“Many people enjoy the views from the top of Parlick and Jeffrey Hill and particularly from Parlick it will be very, very visible.”
The resident can be contacted on chippingwindturbine@gmail.com if anyone so wishes to get in touch.
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Weather for Longridge
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Heavy rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
