Name
Address
Address
Address
Post Code
Helen Wilson
RES
Beaufort Court
Egg Farm Lane
Kings Langley
Hertfordshire
WD4 8LR
28th August 2015
Dear Helen Wilson;
FORMAL OBJECTION TO PROPOSED WINDFARM AT CHISLET
MARSHES
I would like to formally object to the proposed windfarm of 9 -11
potentially 150metre high wind turbines at Chislet Marshes on the
following basis;
1.
2.
3.
4.
Damage to Landscape Character and Visual Impact
Impact on Nature Conservation
Damage to Cultural Heritage
Living conditions nearby, including Noise, flood risk and other
pollution;
5. The Cumulative impact with other similar developments
6. Impact on the local Economy
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 2
To expand upon these objections we have as follows;
1. Damage to Landscape Character and Visual Impact.
The land forms part of the Wantsum channel and has numerous planning
constraints upon it.
Among these many constraints is designation AAHL – area of High
Landscape Value. (1 of only 4 such designations in the CCC area the
others being Blean Woods, the North Kent Marshes and Canterbury City
itself)
This designation forms part of the adopted local plan of 2006 as well as
the currently un-adopted plan of 2013 (to be adopted in January 2016)
To quote from the plan;
“The Wantsum Channel has been designated because of the strategic
importance of this landscape in East Kent. The Wantsum Channel once
separated the Isle of Thanet from the rest of Kent. The marshes form a
dramatic open landscape of ditches and fields, reclaimed from the sea.
The settlement pattern reflects the ancient coastline with most villages
located on the old shoreline.”
Given this status the adopted plan clearly states, and we quote;
“Development proposals which run contrary to landscape character
(including settlement character) or impact direct upon historic setting ,
archaeological or nature conservation interests WILL NOT BE
PERMITTED “
Clearly 9-11 turbines each potentially higher than the Great Pyramid of
Giza run contrary to both landscape and settlement character.
That fact is quite clear.
2. Impact on Nature Conservation
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 3
The proposed site is designated ASNC as a site of nature conservation
interest.
The site is immediately adjacent to the Thanet Coast SSSI, East Blean
Woods SSSI, Stodmarsh SSSI, and Preston Marshes SSSI and as such,
sees many migratory species as well as provides homes for many
protected species.
These species include, but are not limited to;
Protected Species;
Smooth Newt, Great Crested Newt, Common Toad, Marsh Frog, Slow
Worm, Common Lizard, Eurasian Badger, Stoat, Weasel, Common
Pipistrelle Bat, Soprano Pipistrelle Bat ,Long Eared Bat, Noctule Bat
,European Water Vole.
Migratory and Indigenous Birds
Little Grebe – breeding, Great Crested Grebe,Bittern – breeding, Mute
Swan – breeding, Tundra Bean Goose,Pink Footed Goose,White Fronted
Goose,Greylag Goose – breeding, Canada Goose,Barnacle Goose,Brent
Goose, Shelduck – breeding, Wigeon, Gadwall,Teal,Green Winged Teal,
Blue Winged Teal, Mallard – breeding, Pintail Duck, Shoveler –
breeding,Tufted Duck – breeding, Scaup, Eider Duck, Golden Eye Duck,
Honey Buzzard,Black Kite,Red Kite,Marsh Harrier – breeding,
Goshawk,Sparrow Hawk – breeding, Osprey,Kestrel – breeding,
Peregrine Falcon,Grey Partridge – breeding, Turtle Dove – breeding,
Barn Owl – breeding, Tawny Owl – breeding,Little Owl – breeding
The construction and operation of these turbines would have an
immediate effect upon all of these species.
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 4
The populations, specifically of the protected species would be adversely
affected, and birds do not fly around these turbines, please note the
following video;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NAAzBArYdw
3. Damage to Cultural Heritage
The Historic Churches of St Mary the Virgin at Chislet and St Nicholas at
Wade Church together with Reculver Towers would have their entire
landscape and surrounding settlement character ruined and indeed
dwarfed by these huge turbines.
The Chislet Marshes are home to Medieval Salt works which would be
affected by the proposal and also have other areas of Archaeological
interest,
4. Living conditions nearby, including Noise, flood risk and other
pollution;
We are concerned that the increase in noise both audible and of low
frequency (amplitude modulation) from the turbines potentially within 1,000
metres of housing would be unbearable within a quiet rural setting and is
the cause of many Health Issues.
The noise issues of wind farms are very well documented and we refer you
to a recent bill being put towards the House of Commons, from Hansard;
FROM HANSARD: House Of COMMONS
21 July 2015 : Column 1384
Public Nuisance from Wind Farms (Mandatory Liability Cover) Bill
Motion for leave to bring in a Bill (Standing Order No. 23)
Further please note the results of recent independent studies per below;
http://www.masenv.co.uk/listening_room
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 5
Living close to wind farms could cause hearing damage
New research published by the Royal Society warns of the possible
danger posed by low frequency noise like that emitted by wind
turbines
From
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/windpower/11131544/Livin
g-close-to-wind-farms-could-cause-hearing-damage.html>
In 1999, The World Health Organisation published its "Guidelines for
Community Noise". These Guidelines incorporated important changes to
the previous WHO Guidelines of 1980, 1993, and 1995, particularly in
setting maximum noise limits in a bedroom where noise with a pulsating
and low frequency character are present. Despite the WHO 1999
Guidelines, ETSU R 97 was not updated to reflect these changes.
We would ask that RES confirm that any proposed wind farm will accept
and work within World Health Organisation Guidelines and not ETSU R
97.If the proposed farm does not work within WHO guidelines then we
would ,as residents, take this as a breach of our Human Rights and
litigate accordingly.
Similarly we are concerned that any proposal will have further impact upon
Health as detailed below;
-Living near a wind farm can cause heart disease, panic attacks and
migraines
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1203770/Arewind-farms-risk-health.html#ixzz3dWsELwXS
The Chislet Marshes are a flood risk area and the likelihood of flood would
be greatly increased given the sheer volume of concrete that would need to
be poured into the area for the preparation of turbine construction.
Rotating wind turbine blades interrupt the sunlight producing unavoidable
flicker bright enough to pass through closed eyelids, and moving
shadows cast by the blades on windows can affect illumination inside
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 6
buildings. This effect is commonly known as shadow flicker and we are
concerned that this will cause Health issues for those living close to the
turbines.
5. The Cumulative impact with other similar developments.
As you will be aware, Thanet is home to the world’s third largest offshore
windfarm which is 7 miles offshore the Thanet coast and is quite visible
from the Thanet way and the site of your proposed onshore Wind Farm.
Should your proposal go ahead the effect on local residents would be that
of being visually enclosed by wind turbines which, apart from the Health
risks would be quite intolerable.
6. Impact on the local Economy
A recent report by the London School of Economics stated that;
Windfarms can reduce house prices by up to 12%, says LSE
From <http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/apr/08/windfarms-reducehouse-prices-compensation>
Property that is effected by shadow flicker, increased noise and visual
impairment can find itself severely reduced in value even to the extent of
becoming unsaleable.
Could we please have RES assurance that any reduction in the value of
any property within 5km of the nearest turbine will be fully recompensed
financially by RES to the owner of such property, as any reduction in the
value of such a home would be purely because of the wind farm.
It may be of interest to note that the area was recently noted as one of the
top 30 most favoured places to live in England owing primarily to its
unspoilt location, unique landscape and settlement character, history and
tranquillity. Your wind farm would seriously devalue this area and as such,
substantive compensation will be payable.
Helen Wilson
August 28, 2015
Page 7
Should RES decide to lodge formal planning to CCC we reserve the right to
substantiate further our objections, however, in this scoping phase, please
register this letter as our grounds for our formal objection to the proposal.
Yours sincerely
[Your Name]