The WRAT Pack (Wrightington Residents Against Turbines)
Have Your Say - How to object to Wind Turbine Applications
Once one Application is successful – there will be an Influx of Applications! The location
of individual Wind Turbines is irrelevant – the impact will be on Wrightington as a whole.
Do
Be aware of Planning Applications in the system. Make sure we have an
email address for you – even if it is a friend or relatives.
Email: windturbineimpact@gmail.com
Once a Planning Application is submitted write to the Planning Officer quoting the
Application reference number. This can be found on the West Lancs Borough Council
website: https://pa.westlancs.gov.uk/online-applications/
There also Applications for the surrounding areas on the Wigan Council and Chorley
Borough Council websites. After reading the Application write a letter of objection from
each member of the household, including children. The more letters the more weight this
will carry. Write a personal letter. Do not collect a petition – it will only be considered as
one objection. Here are some example objections which you may wish to use:
Green Belt. This proposed development sits on Green Belt land. This proposal does not
meet the special circumstances required as stated in the National Planning Policy 2 –
Green Belts, (published Jan 1995 – amended March 2002) to outweigh the harm it has
on the Green Belt and therefore the ‘Presumption against inappropriate development’ in
the Green Belt would apply (Paragraph 3.1 and 3.2 of PPG2). The National Planning
Policy for Green Belt preservation is fully embedded into the West Lancashire Core
Strategy – Preferred Option May 2011 – Policy SC15. A recent High Court Judge ruled
their right (local villagers) to preserve their landscape was more important than the
Government’s renewable energy targets.
Loss of Visual Amenity (not View!) One huge reason for moving to Wrightington was
the rural location and the open views. I enjoy walks with my family along the footpaths
and feel that the installation of these ‘alien’ objects to the environment will mean a loss of
visual amenity. Also explain how you use this area for as an amenity for other reasons
e.g. horse riding.
Environmental Impact Natural Areas and Areas of Landscape History Importance – a
report prepared by West Lancashire Borough Council in 1996 and updated 2007
describes the general characteristics of the land as of County Importance and as
follows: “Low hills in regional terms, but prominent and significant in local terms. Steep
slopes, poorer soils, complex mosaic of topography, pastures, lanes, rivers, streams,
banks, hedges and woodlands. Ancient Countryside. Long distance views from high
points” and this report states categorically
“to minimise the Environmental Impact (in reference to this land)
– Avoid introduction of tall columnar constructions
– Avoid uncharacteristic or visually intrusive development, including earthworks,
which would damage foreground views.
– Avoid interference with long-distance views from high points accessible to public
–
Public rights of way State proximity of public footpath to Wind Turbines (if applicable) –
health & safety risk in high winds. “…there is no statutory separation distance between a
wind turbine and a public right of way. However, fall over distance should be considered.
The minimum distance is often taken to be that the Turbine blades should not be
permitted to over sail a public right of way.” - Planning Policy Statement 22. Has this
been considered in the Application?
Noise. Explain your concerns about the noise impact. Usually the Applicant provides
data which has been taken from a desk top analysis only and is biased towards the
Application. The data supplied is usually misleading in that it is generic and the
background noise level is usually referenced from somewhere other than the planned
site. This is completely irrelevant! This data then provides the baseline for noise levels
from which the report then shows the difference in sound levels being minimal. This
conclusion cannot be accurate or acknowledged as such.
Demand a site specific Noise Impact Assessment in your letter.
Health Impact Ask for a Health Impact Assessment if you live in close proximity to the
proposed site. Low frequency noise and vibration
Wind energy developers measure the audible range of noise, but not the lower
frequencies – which are sometimes below audible limits. In 2004, the DTI commissioned
the Hayes McKenzie Partnership to report on claims that LFN and infrasound were
causing health effects. Their report noted that a phenomenon known as Aerodynamic
Modulation was occurring in ways not anticipated by UK regulations relating to wind
farms ETSU-R-97 (ETSU).
Research by Dr. Amanda Harry showed that all but one of the fourteen people living near
Bears Down wind farm in Cornwall had experienced increased incidents of headaches,
migraines, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, tinnitus, sleep disorders, stress anxiety and
depression. The NAS is commissioning further research to study the reported
health effects relating to claims of LFN and infrasound from on-shore wind
turbines. (Noise Abatement Society). It is clear to see that far more research and
understanding of the negative effects of Wind Turbines on residents is required and not
yet available. Without this data it cannot be possible for the Council to make an informed
decision and therefore must reject this Application.
Strobe Effect The Seamer & Hilton Windfarm Action Group in the northeast of England
published a report in January 2009 describing many of the risks to the general public
from wind turbines including noise and light flicker. The strobe effect from wind turbines,
when the sun is behind the rotating blades, can cause dizziness, headaches and trigger
seizures (epilepsy). Shadow flicker and reflected light from blades can also cause
problems. These light disturbances are experienced inside the home as well as outside. I
therefore request a Health Impact Assessment specific to this proposal.
Bats / Birds / Wildlife Do you have any protected species e.g. bats in the area /
proposed sites? In the UK, bats and their roosts are protected by law, whether occupied
or not. It is illegal to damage, destroy or disturb any bats or roosts without having taken
the necessary precautions. There is government planning policy and guidance for
protected species. Planning laws dictate that they must have a bat survey carried out
before any work can go ahead.
Birds – See the RSPB website - http://www.rspb.org.uk/advice/takeaction/ for advice and
guidance.
Distance from residents homes (many are being proposed as close as 150m!)
Explain how close you live to the proposed site. Compare it to the ‘Distances to
Resident’s Properties Bill’ currently going through Parliament and how this is not being
adhered to.
E.g. Turbines of 25m – 50m in height should be of 1000m distance to the nearest
property.
Turbines of 50m – 100m – distance from property – 1500m
Turbines of 100m – 150m – distance 2000m
Although this is not yet law, the issue has been debated and conclusions drawn – so
urge the Planning Officer to take these guidelines into consideration.
No Economic Benefit The economic argument proves that wind power generated
energy is one of the most expensive forms of electricity and survives on direct and
indirect subsidies bringing an added cost to tax payers without making a significant
contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. (Noise Abatement Society).
The figures also being offered as data by the Application from XXXXXX are with the
assumption of average wind speeds of 5.9m/s which cannot be guaranteed.
Tell the Planning Officer that No jobs are being created as a result of this proposed
installation. (If that is the case – you will need to check on the Application).
Do Not Leave it to others to write letters. Only a high volume of resident’s objections
will be taken seriously.
Do not object because of your loss of view or the impact on the value of your property.
These are not PLANNING objections and will not be considered.
Further advice and information: Website: http://www.saveourlandscape.webstarts.com