Anglesey Against Wind Turbines

 SPG Response.

The consultation period will run from 9 am on Friday 16th December 2011 to 5 pm on Friday 10th February 2012.

Paper copies can be viewed in public local libraries, the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s offices at Llangefni and the Town Hall, Bangor.

The form should be returned via post to: Joint Planning Policy Unit, Town Hall, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1DT

or by email to: planningpolicy@gwynedd.gov.uk

Completed forms should be returned by 5 pm on Friday 10th February 2012.

 Anglesey Against Wind Turbine Member suggestions.

 

1. Amplitude Modulation Noise condition (AM) of the aerodynamic turbine noise. There is a need for a AM noise condition to protect wind farm neighbours  from excessive am noise which has been blamed for sleep disturbance in my opinion this should be included  as a condition as part of the consent of planning.

 

2. People living near these sights should be consulted as to their views about it visually and audibly and with regard to the turbines having a detrimental effect on the value of their property. and does it invade their privacy There should be at least 1500 meters from residential property.

 

3. conditions of the visual and ecological impact of such strutchers is critical and it should not be acceptable only small scale turbines in rural landscape .On know account should a cluster of wind turbines be placed in areas of outstanding beauty.

 

4. Wind turbines should not be placed where Birds and wild animals have their habitat or any land which has preservation orders placed on it

All wind farm plans should be discussed at a public meeting and the views of the nearby residents taken into consideration.

 

 

My suggested SPG points are, in no particular order:
 
1.  Visual landscape impact, cumulative effect,  intervisibility , effect on tourism (possibly separate point)
 
2.  Height restriction - max 15m 
 
3.  Separation distance from residential dwellings - probably have to go for 1.5km- 2km.
 
4.  Noise/Health effects of low frequency noise    

                            

 

 

~ Specific guidance in terms of maximum height (poss 12m..?), distance from residential
properties etc

~ All residents in the vicinity to be notified of any planning applications made and given
sufficient time to raise any objections

~ A cap on the number of applications approved during any one period

~ An ongoing monitoring programme to assess the impact in terms of
environment, health, economy, tourism etc on the Island on any approved applications,
and if any significant issues raised, subsequent applications put on hold until issues
resolved

 

 

1.       Some of these wind turbines are massive 4 times higher than the Marquis of Anglesey’s column. Tourist’s first view of approaching Anglesey will be of an industrial landscape rather than the finest views in Britain. More of Anglesey’s residents’ livelihoods depend on tourism than any other business. A survey by Visit Scotland concluded that over a quarter of tourists are less likely to return to a turbanised landscape. Wind turbines will reduce the islands income from tourism.

 

2.       The SPG reports that “wind energy will bring about social and economic benefits through job creation in manufacturing, construction and maintenance industries” (2.5 p1). Most turbines are built abroad and installed by the manufacturers (teams are already being trained in Liverpool) when in place they require minimal upkeep and are remotely controlled. Turbines do not create local jobs.

 

3.       Who benefits? A few local land owners with massive rents and outside wind energy companies with huge subsidies from the government which we as residents are paying for with 10% tariff on our electric bills. Local residents pay the same for electricity and don’t benefit at all.

 

4.       In fact we residents stand to suffer in particularly from the noise. The SPG report acknowledged  “Anglesey is predominantly rural with a dispersed pattern of development. Due to the fact that few areas are far from existing settlement or individual dwellings, the amenity impacts of wind development are likely to be significant in many parts of the area” (14.1 p13). Low frequency noise generated by turbines will adversely affect residents’ health. The noise is felt as much as it is heard. Think of the thudding bass of the next doors stereo always playing the same song and never switching it off. In a High Court Judgement on the Den Brook Valley Wind Farm in Devon the judge ruled the Amplitude Modulation (blade swish or chomp noise) is valid. Residents health from miles around the turbines will be at risk

 

5.       Turbines reduce property prices. Given two identical houses one with  view obstructed by a wind turbine and in the noise envelop, which one would you buy? Turbines also affect TV reception. Residents living in the vicinity of turbines will loose out financially and will be unable to move because of a fall in house values.

 

Turbines are the most inefficient and expensive form of renewable energy. The industry is simply motivated by huge profits achieved through subsidy.

 

I as a local resident stand to suffer greatly being in the noise and visual envelop of the biggest proposed development of 3 x 100m wind turbines at  Cae Isaf/ Bryn Eryr Uchaf, Menai Bridge.

 

In these uncertain economic times Anglesey Councillors should not be jeopardising the social, economic and physical well being of its residents. Please think again about the On Shore Wind Energy Policy. Look to other counties in Wales who have a more pro residents wind energy policies.