Have Your Say!
June 9th, 2008 | 
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This message forum is a place for all to voice their concerns over the proposed construction and siting of 6 giant Wind Turbines along the beautiful Ellerside to Stribers ridge.
This site overlooks the exquisite Cartmel Valley with its rare and historic village and medieval Priory
The ridge commands one of Lakeland’s classic panoramas which encompasses the whole of Morecambe Bay to the South, the Furness Peninsula, Black Combe, and the Coniston Fells to the West, through to the Fairfield Range and the Shap Fells to the North, to Ingleborough in Yorkshire the highest point of the Pennines and the Lancashire hills behind Morecambe and Lancaster to the East.
Ellerside Ridge is extremely popular with walkers, whether they be on the top where the Turbines are to be sited or on the Cumbria Coastal Way which runs just below the Ridge line, overlooked by Turbines T1, T2 and T3 until the path actually meets Turbine T4 and passes by Turbines T5, and T6.
Our picture gallery will give you an indication of the landscape and the commercial life of Cartmel village and surrounding businesses that are under threat.
Please help us to protect this jewel of the English countryside by adding your comments. If you register yourself on our site you will be informed of the latest developments and more importantly you can post your own article for others to comment on, you can also upload your own photographs.
When the time is right we can advise you on how best to inform the planning authority with your views.
Your views ARE important and they will be taken into account when the time comes.
To view others comments or to add your own comment, click on comments below this message. (login at bottom of page)
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I am horrified and deeply saddened by the prospect of industrial wind turbines in this most beautiful area of the Lake District. The proposed development would severely diminish views from and towards the ridge line. It would change forever the outstandingly serene and tranquil views from the historic village of Cartmel. The turbines would be seen from all aspects of the Cartmel Valley and from miles around. Whoever owns the land and has given permission for the proposed development on this site, only owns the land, NOT the landscape! This belongs to us all and is not only our heritage, but the heritage of future generations. The environmental arguments for on shore wind “farms” do not bear out when all environmental, social, economic and technical efficiency/effectiveness issues are considered. What may be given – very little when all evidence is taken in to account – would be vastly overshadowed by what would be taken away in environmental terms, with this type of development on such a site. We cannot allow ill conceived and unrealistic targets for wind turbines in the UK to destroy our wonderful countryside. The Lake District and surrounding area is considered by many to be the “jewel in the crown”. Wind turbines will not provide the salvation we seek; the evidence for this is mounting all the time. I hope the South Lakeland District Council Planning Department takes stock and listens to the very real concerns this proposal has exposed and outrightly rejects such a proposal when it is put forward.
Obviously the siting of any number of Wind Turbines on or around the hills of Striber’s Allotment ,having the height of only 40 metres,would have a devastating effect on the beauty of the landscape viewed from whatever direction.
The point is that this is seen as a commercially viable project by the potential investors .
They confidently declare the production capability and it’s associated CO2 saving . But the required wind strength and maximum power demand rarely co-incide . They are merely dressing up the desire to go forward with their commercial project.
There have been windfarm projects that have failed to get their planning applications approved . One such was proposed near to the village of Grove ,Retford ,Nottinghamshire
Perhaps in Cumbria you may benefit from the knowledge of the arguments that led to the failure of that proposal .
I am a New Zealander who lived in the UK for 6 years. I extensively travelled the UK. I visited the Lake District and Cartmel and have stayed in Speelbank – close to the proposed wind turbine site – many times during my 6 year stay.
I found the Lake District and in particular Cartmel and its surrounding areas to be the most beautiful, picturesque and unspoilt parts of the country. I loved the panaramic views of the green rolling landscape, lines of drywall and historic cottages dotted all around. I could only imagine how blighted the landscape would look with such large, view distroying, man-made edifices in this area.
I was very diappointed to hear of the possibility that wind turbines may be located near the historic village of Cartmel and in particular Speelbank.
In New Zealand we treasure our National Parks and surrounding land, and would not think of disturbing the natural landscape in such a grotesque manner. The natural beauty of the area would suffer greatly if this was to go ahead.
This issue is about people. The proposed development is simply too close to too many people that will be adversely affected.
I grew up in Cartmel and it is a very special place for me. After living in other parts of the country my parents (Malcolm and Stephanie Leadbetter – see above) chose to retire in the Lake District near Cartmel and found a beautiful spot at Speelbank.
My dad loves the landscape that surrounds them and his favoutite pastime is exploring and walking. My mum is passionate about nature and an active member of the local community. I live overseas now but when I speak to mum and dad on the phone much of the conversation is about the changing seasons in the Speelbank valley. We talk about all the different species of birds that visit their plentiful bird tables. We talk about badgers and foxes and deer. We talk about bluebells in spring and the tracks left by animals in the snow in winter.
One of my favorite stories (and there’s lots) is about what mum and dad did a few years ago during the foot and mouth epidemic. This is the short version of the story. Mum had seen a ewe in trouble in the field opposite. They went to explore and found that the sheep was lying incapacitated with lambing disease in the paddock. Lambing disease means that a sheep loses the use of its legs and usually dies where it is lying. Anyway it got to the stage where the crows were sitting on this particular sheep while it was dying and threatening to peck its eyes out. Mum could see this from her kitchen window and persuaded dad to go and pick up the prone sheep in a wheelbarrow and bring it back to the house.
I think it was something like 6 or 9 months that mum and dad fed this sheep which lay unable to stand for all this time. Every single day they would try to lift the sheep to help it stand. At one point the sheep’s fleece fell out and mum sewed a synthethic fleece from a mattress protecter so that it would be warm!
A lot of farmers would think they were mad and maybe they are a bit. But I tell this story as an example of their compassion and love of the living creatures in Speelbank valley.
By the way, one day the sheep did stand. It made a complete recovery, was christened ‘Milly’ and went on to live a long and contented life giving birth to lots more lambs.
I also write this for the Italian development company who, no doubt, monitor this website and keep a log of objectors. I’m sure they try their best to depersonalise the people’s lives who they will change so profoundly.
Stephane and Malcolm will be able to see the wind turbines because their house is only 500 metres from the proposed 150 metre tall wind turbines. The visual and sound pollution will transform their lives. Mum’s always said, “they’ll take me out of the bungalow in a wooden box”. They’re there to stay. But it makes me very sad and a bit angry to think that the wind turbines might be built and what sort of precedent it will set for building them so close to so many people.
The wind turbines are big and noisy. Reputedly, they vibrate at frequencies that stir up your internal organs. When you read the evidence above, and you know the people who live in the area, and you think of the visitors who flock to this area you wonder about how this can even be seriously proposed.
They’re just too close to too many people and in too beautiful an area. When can it be fair that a bunch of agressive developers offer a farmer lots of money to build lots of huge wind turbines in the paddock next to your house. When did that become ok? This can’t happen…can it?
It is quite ridiculous to consider building six huge monstrosities in such a prominent location.
They will be seen from all over the Lake District. Cost a fortune to erect,
( and we the British taxpayer will fund the financial incentives ) Only to produce a pathetically small amount of electricity.
If this goes ahead it will be just another example of of the government ignoring the views of the electorate who funds them.
We have been coming up here for over 40 years, walking extensively in the area. We enjoy the nature and the tranquil scenery and deplore the proposals to erect wind turbines close to Cartmel Village. These will totally ruin the charm of this unspoiled area and we would be so disappointed that we would probably not visit this area in the future. There is no evidence to show that the benefits would outway the ruination of the area.
I would like to say that it beggars belief that such a proposal could be made, but sadly that is not the case given the current obsession with renewable energy sources. This may not be the place for a discussion of the merits of wind power (although as already noted it is hardly a solution to our future energy requirements) but it will be an immeasurably sad day if this scheme comes to fruition. I write as a visitor to the area over many years. This is a glorious part of the country; were these turbines to be erected the effect upon the the peace and tranquility of the area would be devastating. I would have thought it inevitable that there would be a significant reduction in visitor numbers with the consequential effects upon local businesses, so many of which are reliant upon tourism.
These proposals make no sense in terms of volume of energy generated, in terms of environmental impact nor in terms of the likely impact upon the local economy. Let us hope that logic determines the outcome.
common sense.
There is a place for Renewable Energy, from Wind Farms aswell as from Solar Energy. If the Government is serious about renewables, it should take a leaf out of the book of the administration of Cyprus. They lost their energy supply to the Turks overnight in the 70s, and decided to place a solar panel on the roof of every house in southern Cyprus; it worked well for them, and could do for us with global warming.
We should consider demanding solar panel installation on new house -builds, long before, we consider greedy developers from Italy, using EU funds to ruin our wonderful heritage, here in the Lake District.
The Cartmel Valley has both Historical and Environmental value, not only for present occupiers and visitors, but also for future users and inhabitants.
It is a special place, not to be bought or sold, and I hope if you read this and agree, you will respond by adding your comments here, and by writing to your own MP , or by contacting the Planning Authority in Kendal (Fiona Clark)
If this Italian company believes that its policy has validity, then why not test it on a ridge above a beautiful historic village in Italy. I look forward to the outcome; until then I will oppose this financial development 100%.
I was pleased to attend the open meeting last evening and was impressed by the presentations. I have been a resident at Old Park Wood Caravan Park for some 40 years and the Cartmel area is our own “paradise”. With some 450 caravans/lodges etc. there is a potential “signature list” of almost 1000 which hopefully could lend support to the STOP campaign. However, few people I’ve questioned seem unaware of the impact on their view of the surrounding scenary.
With the help of posters to include a photo “montage” from the West of Ellerside/Stribers, I’m sure we could get support and signatures to a petition if that will help the cause.
Incidentally, I tried to view the planning application at SLDC but it would be easier if I could have the planning number which I did not readily find on your excellent web-site.
I have added my name to your e-mail lists and I shall be pleased to give full support to your campagn.
As only Stewards of the land ,protecting it for the generations to come.We dont have the right to Trade Nature for political gain. Will history once again teach us nothing.
Propose other locations , like landfill, motorway sides , industrial estates ..we have allready despoiled them. I will focus daily on the unspoilt peace and tranquility of the peninsula.
Good morning. My wife and I attended the meeting last night. As residents of Cartmel we will support the STOP campaign. The whole presentation was superb. Dr Hall’s contribution was without doubt the clearest clarification on the madness of Windfarms in general, and land based ones in particular.
A good corollary might be of a proposal to put a four litre engine into a Mini to go to and from work. Utter madness, regardless of how it would have to be built, or the annoyance to neighbours on start up first thing in the morning!!!
For the Government to underpin the finances of these proposals appears to be logic emanating from the lunatic asylum! A further example of government squandering tax payers hard earned cash.
We spoke with two gentlemen from Keswick, who attended the Open Meeting on August 4th. They are hoping to move to Cartmel and buy a property. They now have major concerns regarding the proposed wind turbines and are debating whether to move or not. How wide reaching are these plans!
What would people prefer, a coal fired power station on their doorstep?
As global energy supplies diminish, communities need to take responsibility for generating energy to meet their own consumption. Doubtless some ways of doing this are better than others, and which is best depends upon what you are measuring, but surely no one can argue that we all need to take ownership of this problem.
As a resident of the Cartmel peninsula, I’d far rather see windmills on the horizon than breathe the output from a fossil fuel fired station or live with the alarmingly vague implications of a local Nuclear station.
Yes, you can see Windmills from a long way off, but we need to weigh this decision on measures that are more substantial than just appearance. If a Windfarm is built in our area, we can live in the happy knowledge that when better technology is developed, we can just unbolt the windmills and remove them. How much would the neighbours of Heysham or Sizewell give for that option?
I live in South Wales, and I don’t like wind turbines. I can see nine 150 footers from my lounge window. The local authority has just approved 20 odd 400 footers to be sited 5 miles away. It’s extremely difficult to stop them. If you look at Devon Wind Power website, they are “offering” the locals at Fullabrook, North Devon £3.5 million to keep the peace. It just shows how much money there is to be made in the windfarm business.
Malcolm Leadbetter
Chairman, STOP Action Group
3rd September 2008
SOME COMMENTS ON COLIN HODGSON’S BLOG
It would be preferable not to have any industrial development on anybody’s doorstep or backyard, whether a power station or wind turbines.
When looking at the “measures” for considering the best ways for generating energy, you would have to bear in mind that wind energy is unreliable, inefficient and two and a half times more costly than other types of electricity (according to the Royal Academy of Engineering). There are other adverse effects from wind turbines, and not just in terms of “appearance”. There is damage to the landscape, to tourism and the local economy, to the environment and ecology, and so on. As far as the Stribers/Ellerside proposal is concerned, our view is that the adverse effects far outweigh any possible benefits.
Mr Hodgson says he would “far rather see windmills on the horizon than breathe the output from a fossil fuel fired station ..”. It is worth pointing out that wind power saves minimal carbon dioxide emission. This is because conventional power generation is needed for backup anyway for the large amounts of time when wind is not producing electricity.
He also refers to seeing “windmills from a long way off ….”. Perhaps Mr Hodgson is not aware that there are about ten houses within one-third of a mile of the proposed Stribers/Ellerside turbine site where the six 125 meter/410 feet high turbines would be. There are other houses not much further away. There is a great deal of concern about the effects of noise and flicker on the well-being and health of people living so close, as well as on wildlife.
To suggest that “we can just unbolt the windmills and remove them” does not recognize that the damage, much of it irreparable, has already been done through, for instance, the installation of enormous concrete bases and access tracks.
We encourage anyone to visit the site or to contact us for more information about this scheme and its effects, especially those people who were unable to attend our public meeting on 4th August. Contact details are on this website.
We lived in Cartmel Village for many years and frequently return. We enjoy the beautiful views and walks in the area. It is beyond belief that such a proposal could ever be suggested for such questionable gains.
We fully support this campaign, deplore this proposal and pray that common sense prevails.
I like the example of the people of Samso in Denmark described in today’s Observer, see:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/21/renewableenergy.alternativeenergy
Cartmel valley, and those neighbouring it, has a variety of energy sources that could be harnessed as in Samso. It’d be good to hear of constructive proposals to potential funders – starting with a detailed survey of energy consumption in the valley but of course linked to a detailed description of how that consumption could be reduced (high quality insulation; valley-wide agreement to reduce vehicle engine sizes and vehicle use; every south facing roof fitted with water heaters, and why not the huge south facing roof of the priory be linked to its own internal heating system? There’s a challenge to designers to fit present-day engineering elegantly into an ancient monument and enhance the village – it’d be a leader, surely? Biogas generators based at the sewerage works near Wyke Farm and accepting slurry from local farms; micro-hydroelectric system on the weir at Newby Bridge; tidal generators under the Rivers Kent and Levens viaducts.
Sure it’d cost a lot – so too do motorways and airport runways, Hadron Colliders and trips into space – but I know where I’d rather any of my tax went; and I’d rather concentrate on reducing our pollution of the Global Common atmosphere, which seems the most important issue just now.
Well it looks like storms are raging in Cartmel just as they are in Southern Australia.We are so pleased the landscape around Cartmel have guardians prepared to fight.We will be staying in the Cartmel area over this coming Winter and will be very interested to see and experience Cartmelian hospitality.
The debate over the use of alternative power sources and local tourism is high on all agendas. What is more important to us is the question of sustainable energy versus out of sight out of mind as it seems to be here in Aus!
These turbines look massive though!!! Will watch this site with great interest. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful area with our own eyes.
I was brought up in Cartmel and had a blissful childhood in the beautiful countryside of the area. My childhood was spent exploring the outdoors and as I now live in London I remember those rural days very fondly. I find the idea of the proposed wind turbines very sad. I cannot understand why this particular area (which is of outstanding beauty) has been chosen. There is one fact that really brought it home to me how these turbines would ruin the landscape. I would like to share this with you. It concerns the height of these turbines. When I am walking or driving in London I often use the London Eye as a point of reference as it is easily spotted from the street. The Eye is a very similar height to the turbines. Can you imagine six London Eyes? Surely there would be no need for the London A to Z as the six Eyes could assist the most navigationally challenged tourist. Can you imagine six similarly heighted constructions on this proposed site? Does that not seem ludicrous? I think even in our capital there would be some very strong challenges against such proposals. I hope this will only ever have to be an imagined scenario and that I can introduce my six month old baby to Cartmel as it looks today. I hope I will be visiting Cartmel for many years to come as a musician to perform in the area, as a visitor using Cartmel as a well needed bolt hole from life in the capital and as a mother wanting my child to experience the rural idyll I had as a child. What a travesty it would be if this landscape was to be ruined and spoiled. I recognise that things cannot stay the same forever but wind turbines…..in Cartmel?
I have already made my personal views known on this proposed development through a previous “blog” above. As a business owner in Cartmel Village, I am in the somewhat privileged position of hearing what others think of this proposal when I or they raise the issue when they visit the gallery. Some are local, some are visitors to the village from other parts of the Lakes and many are visitors from farther afield. I would like to share, in general terms, what they have to say about the proposed turbines. The visitors are from many different walks of life, from different backgrounds, at different points in their lives and given that, I would imagine represent a pretty broad spectrum of political belief. The one thing they all have in common is their utter disbelief at the thought of gigantic, industrial turbines dominating and spoiling this most beautiful place! Many comment on the preposterous position of destroying with one hand what we are supposedly trying to protect with the other. Not one of these people has stated they would be in favour. To all those who shout “Nimby..ism” (“not in my backyard” syndrome) these visitors’ sentiments strengthen my resolve and the belief that I already hold, that some backyards are worth protecting!! Make no mistake, this is not an easy or straightforward environmental issue. I have no doubt that we need to seek and develop cleaner and more sustainable energy and urgently. How we do it though, is just as crucial. Ill conceived “bandwagons”, such as on shore wind farms, that this Government seems intent upon jumping on will only inflict as much damage on the environment and countryside as we are purporting to eradicate and do effectively nothing about cutting CO2 emissions or contributing to our very real need for energy at the same time! To illustrate my point, it is very illuminating to read the article “Wind Power is just a Gesture” by, effectively the inspiration for and Father of the Green Movement, Dr. James Lovelock. In it, he states that windfarms do not address the problems of global warming and that they effectively “defeat the green objective”. We as locals also have to be active and vocal in our opposition. I have heard a few say in the village, that they believe there is no point fighting it; there is every point!!! We must not be naive, this resigned sentiment would be music to the developer’s ears. The particular developer involved is very good at making grand statements regarding the supposed support for this, yet in reality and when asked to provide examples of this support, can’t or as has recently happened, been caught out and has been asked to retract such statements! One of the aims of this website is to collect the views of people and facilitate vocal opposition when the time comes, so that opposition can be proven! As a proposal, there are very real and very strong planning reasons for this development NOT to be approved and be rejected. We must not be complacent and if you oppose the proposal you MUST communicate your opposition when the time comes.
I fully support the return of wind energy to our area – I am a nimby – what happens in our backyard has the potential to affect everyones backyard.
A chap from Ulverston recorded the windmills of Lancashire, Cumberland and Westmorland – thousands of them in 1900 and they were beginning to disappear then without trace and beyond memory apart from photos.
I hope all those opposed to development also opposed the by pass – the most environmentally destructive development this area has seen for a long time. I opposed the bypass and I am fully supporting the wind turbines.
I grew up at Rusland in the next valley.
PS James Lovelock is cited as being the “Father of the Green Movement” this is a myth beloved by polluting industries. James Lovelock is a supporter of technologies high on the industrial food chain especially nuclear as he said way back in 1979 in his first book Gaia. In Gaia ( a false greek goddess – NOT Mother Earth) he also berated ecologists who were concerned about the impacts of the first oil pipe lines through Alaska. He now criticises the Navajo and Aborigines for trying to prevent further uranium mining on their land – what a guy!
If only it were windmills that were propsed as in Marianne Birkby’s post!
Sadly wind turbines are a far far cry from wind mills.
If I lived 930 m from a windmill I wouldn’t have had to abandon my home…
As it is – and as we cant sleep or rest at home, we have had to abandon it and now rent a house 5 miles away so we can at least rest and sleep….
And there are many like us who have lost the ability to enjoy the amenity that is our home. To introduce such noise into the peace and quietitude of Cartmel is a travesty.
With luck and a fair wind turbines produce, on average 25% of their installed capacity. In a bad month it can be between 11-15%. The electricity they produce cannot be stored, and other forms of generation have to be available.
Why aren’t we looking to geo-thermal options? or solar or waves as well as more conventional forms such as coal and…nuclear – none of which would despoil the countryside in a similar manner..
So I say Yes to wind mills but a very loud NO to wind turbines!
Agreed – many forms of energy along with energy prudence are key – but they should will have to be renewable.
Wind mills looked gorgeous but were much noisier than their modern day equivalent – the difference is that ‘Country Guardians’ weren’t around to demonise wind energy and they were an accepted part of the living landscape.
Favourite character in Camberwick Green was Windy miller. His wonderfully noisy wind mill in Camberwick Green would never have existed if Country Guardians had had their way – the residents of Camberwick Green would have been traumatised into genuine illnesses by all the anti wind hype.
Ironically illnesses caused by nuclear power stations are denied ( and have been denied for as long as nuclear power has existed) despite new studies by leading scientists in many countries showing links with cancers and the nuclear industry.
Whatever anyone personally thinks about Dr. James Lovelock, it cannot be denied that he is a realist when it comes to the need for reducing carbon emissions and the most effective and efficient ways of doing this. What also has to be considered is how we are going to produce the required levels of power/ energy this country and other countries around the world require IF we wish to continue living in the way we do. If anyone thinks we can achieve this by renewables alone and totally reject power generation by any other means, they are living in cloud cuckoo land. We have a choice, we either abandon the way in which we live and radically reduce our energy requirement and consumption or take a balanced view as to how we can really make a difference to our carbon emissions, how we realistically generate power with an effective mix of renewables and conventional and be clear as to how we can all reduce our energy consumption through efficient use, energy conservation and changing our wasteful habits. Do not assume that if one is anti – wind turbine, this must also mean anti renewable and anti green. As far as I am concerned, this could not be farther from the truth. What I am challenging is the current madness regarding on shore wind farms and their viability. The lady above mentions “anti wind hype”. I could be just as flippant and talk about the “pro wind hype” that is prevalent and contributing to the flawed and inaccurate information about the effectiveness of wind turbines as effective energy generators, carbon reducers and “green” energy vehicles.
I can sleep next to wind mills, Railway stations, the M6, the M1, Airports, Combines working all night etc..but I cannot sleep at home – the noise character is different…completely omniprescent. I was not a NIMBY, I did not protest. We believed what we read, that they would produce lots of usable electricity and be quiet. Sadly they were wrong.
Neither I nor my husband are members of any organisation. We are ordinary farmers who have been driven out of our home by noise from an unexpected source. There are many others like us and no-one knows why some wind farms are worse than others..or will do anything about them anyway!
Where are the wind turbines Jane?
Its alright – I think I’ve found them -Deeping St Nicholas?
This is the crux of the issue – perception – here is a statement from someone who lives near Janes turbines -
“I live in Deeping St Nicholas where there are 8 turbines and to be honest I am very proud of them. They create no noise and no pollution and frankly I enjoy looking at them from the rear of my house. People need to start looking at their priorities because there are more important things to worry about in life than beautiful, silent wind turbines- and I’m saying this and they are in my backyard”.
There are many more positive comments about the same 8 turbines.
Perception is everything – Having visited the Lambrigg turbines and been impressed with how quiet they are ( especially in comparison to the noise of nuclear steam turbines – you could hear them from Ravenglass) I will be supporting these 6 wind turbines at Cartmel.
I’d just like to add my thoughts to the debate. Having grown up next to the proposed Stribers windfarm site, my family has respected and protected the environment and wildlife there for 50 years. We are fortunate to enough to enjoy seeing raptors soaring above us; hear skylarks in the summer; the hammering of woodpeckers; swooping swallows returning each year to breed and always want to be first to hear the cuckoo in the spring. We frequently spot the tracks and signs of our local badgers and at dusk watch the bats feeding. For anyone who has read the research regarding wildlife and windfarms, birds and (more particularly) bats are at considerable risk of death from wind turbines. Resident wildlife would be driven away by the heavy machinery involved in constructing roadways and erecting the turbines themselves. The Red Deer (mentioned in several walking guides) which have been quietly farmed less than 500 m from the site would have to be destroyed. For anyone who has enjoyed the peace and quiet and the natural environment, the thought of having such an industrial construction taking place there is abhorrent.
Marianne, please give us some credit! Do you really think we would have abandoned our home – our farmhouse and be renting a house 5 miles away at considerable cost if there wasn’t a real and significant problem?
It isn’t about perception at all – its about a great thumping noise that can occur day in day out and stops you being able to sleep or concentrate on anything.
Our problem is that we live in a “remote fenland area” with no neighbours and are directly downwind of the offending wind farm – 8 turbines in total.
The writer you quote lives at the other end/side of the wind farm, adjacent to a road and is upwind of just 3 turbines!
We dont particularly find ours visually intrusive, we cant actually see them from home – but we have learnt to hate them because of what they have done to us….currently we see no future….
We are surrounded by trees (which mask the background noises and let pure turbine thump through). We have many steel clad farm buildings – which reverberate to the sound pressure waves and can build up to a harmonic.
We have lost our moles (possibly a good thing) but there are now concerns about invertebrates in the soil structure too. Our swallows went leaving nests with eggs in the first summer the wind farm was operational ..never to return, and our house, is now deemed un marketable and not lettable either (it exceeds the WHO safe community sleep limits too).
We have succeeded in getting our Council Tax Banding reduced. But what you should realise is that we are not alone – residents near Bothel wind farm at Wharrels Hill (in Cumbria – you could go and visit there…) have exactly the same problems as us as do people near at least a dozen other wind farms – and the scientists cannot yet predict which ones will cause problems.. so Lets look at some other options, 1 using energy smarter (and less of it) and 2. Looking at the whole selection of renewables to see which will be best in any given area… tidal – geo thermal etc. One of teh other problems with wind turbines is that people see them and think thatthey needn’t bother trying to save electricity as those big things are generating more and more……..so they needn’t worry. I wish!
Wind turbines are beautiful clean lined asthetic structures whose function is to reduce the amount of fossil fuel power stations and the C02 released into OUR environment, which inturn protects the natural habitat and its inhabitants. Farmers have for too many years been allowed to use chemicals that damage our environment under the guise of ‘animal rearing’ or raising crops. Just how many cumbrian farmers can honestly state that they are organic farmers whose priorities are both the land and animals’ welfare. Objections to wind Farms are unsubstantiated, dinosaur attitudes are toxic to this planet and those who object ought to educate themselves on how they can help preserve our natural habitat for our children and their children.