'Large turbines will ruin the landscape'
A senior politician is calling on the Government to re-think its policy on large wind turbines.
Councillor Byron Rhodes, the acting deputy leader of Leicestershire County Council, said he had been concerned by the number of applications to put turbines in rural parts of the county.
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He has proposed a motion which will be discussed by colleagues at County Hall tomorrow afternoon.
While Coun Rhodes, who is also leader of Melton Borough council, says he supports the creation of renewable energy, he is concerned national planning laws are putting pressure on local authorities to approve schemes at the expense of the landscape.
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He said: "The Government has a general view about encouraging turbines with subsidies and councils do feel some pressure to pass them.
"In Melton we have seen four or five applications in the past few months for medium-size turbines of about 150 to 200ft.
"Turbines of that size will be highly visible and very hard to screen and I worry there will be a proliferation of them spoiling the landscape."
Coun Rhodes said he preferred less visually intrusive solar panels and farms as a method of generating renewable energy.
His proposed motion encourages smaller turbines below 15 metres to be encouraged.
It says they should also not be built within 2km of homes unless they are to directly generate power for such a property.
Coun Rhodes said: "If the motion is passed we want the Government to know our view as a county council and then change their minds on policy which encourages them to be built."
Comments
by 4_Stroke
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 7:27PM
“daveb0360……quote "I have seen reports claiming we (us) are paying as much as 40% more for our energy than we need to because of the cost of these things !!!"
That was the Governments own report entitled… "Estimated impacts of energy and climate change policies on energy prices and bills"... by the department of Energy and Climate Change and published in 2010.
Yep... The wheels are falling of the global warming propaganda machine.”
by rhino
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 7:27PM
“Lets have nuclear waste dumped everywhere then.”
by New_Walk_View
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:51PM
“@ roundthehorne
it's difficult to think of anything manmade that fits better and more pleasantly into the English landscape than a wind turbine."
That's a bit of a stretch. I can think of quite a few rural buildings and churches for a start; if not entire villages. And that's not to mention associated structures such as barns, haystacks, five-bar gates and so on and so on.”
by jimbob6163
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:47PM
“Anyone thinking of backing wind turbine should live next door to them, I was in a wind farm in Yorkshire and the noise was unbelievable the hum and noise from the blades carried for half a mile, all the people that want this type of Technology never live where it put.
We have the most powerful seas all around are country sea turbines run by the current of the sea should be developed, the River seven should also be looked into for power, and put the Wind turbine out at sea where they do not interfere with peoples lives and pollution of the country side.
And lastly Hydrogen is also an answer as it does not harm are environment and it's in abundance and no danger to any of us.”
by daveb0360
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 5:37PM
“It was Blair that signed us up to a completely unrealistic target on renewables when he was 'apparently' 'tipsy'.
He doubled our commitment at the stroke of a pen and then embedded himself in the corporate greed side of the energy renewables when he lost office.
I have seen reports claiming we (us) are paying as much as 40% more for our energy than we need to because of the cost of these things !!!
What's worse, we can't get out of it until deals are renegotiated in 2020 !!
Well done Tony”
by 4_Stroke
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 4:46PM
“roundthehorne... I love the since of immediate drama! In reality they are forecasting 250 years supply from Gas reserves. I am sure we will think of something by then, probably Hydrogen.”
by Bob491
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 3:27PM
“Quote: "it's a case of strategic withdrawal from any commitment made years ago"
The head in the sand approach that will cost far more in the long run!”
by roundthehorne
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 3:26PM
“@oldhenry
The gas and coal will all run out within the lifetime of my little boy. Once they have gone, there will never be any more. What do you suggest he and his children do then?”
by oldhenry
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 2:35PM
“Wind turbines are not about saving the planet. They are about making money for those who have money to invest in government grants that are paid for by energy users- you and me. They will not ever make the planet last any longer or shorter than the defined timed span for life on earth. Gas power stations are being planned that will actually provide the electricity to power our laptops and they are NOT carbon neutral and involve buying gas from overseas. I wish the Russionas would turn off the gas to us , make us start digging our coal again, a more sensible way of making electricity.”
by 4_Stroke
Tuesday, December 04 2012, 2:27PM
“BOB491… I realise this could go on and on so I want to just cut to the chase.
Global warming alarmism is dead. In case you hadn't noticed there is a climate summit meeting taking place in Doha (COP18) where the world's leaders are currently backpedalling on all the commitments they have made when "green" was a vote winner. Nowadays it's a case of strategic withdrawal from any commitment made years ago that will damage their respective economies, and this government is no exception, thank goodness. If you don't believe me let's see what is agreed to this week. According to the hype its the last chance to save the planet even, even if It hasn't made the news!”