In this section (click on heading):

Ecology

Map of area showing both wind farms

Both sites are located on green belt land and immediately adjacent to the Viking Way.

Noise and Health

Wind turbines produce two types of sound – normal Aerodynamic Noise and Low Frequency Infrasound.

Research has shown that the Low Frequency Sound causes extreme duress to a number of people who are sensitive to its effects. People living and working near wind turbines have been known to experience health problems including sleep deprivation, headaches, irritability, and stress.

Wind farm developers cannot now play down any claims regarding health problems or state that there have been no studies carried out by any professional bodies to substantiate the world wide health claims.

Public health and noise exposure: the importance of low frequency noise

Wind Turbines: Noise and Health

Wind Turbine Syndrome

Noise Radiation from Wind Turbines Installed near Homes: Effects on Health

Location Location Location (pdf)

Effects of wind profile at night on wind turbine sound

Yet another Lincolnshire wind farm is causing noise problems for local residents. Read about it in Spalding Today

Professors Graham Harding, Pamela Harding and Arnold Wilkins recently published a paper on Wind Turbine Flicker and Photosensitive Epilepsy. Please read their paper ...

Wind turbines, flicker and photosensitive epilepsy: Characterising the flashing that my precipitate seizures and optimising guidelines to prevent them

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Efficiency & Viability

The rationale for the building of wind turbines is that they should displace conventional generating capacity and reduce CO2 emissions, thus contributing to the fight against global warming.

There are big drawbacks to wind power:-

• Wind farms are an intermittent source of energy because the wind does not blow all the time. Due to the vagaries of wind in the UK, fossil fuel power stations must be retained and operated in parallel at reduced power and efficiency. The starting and stopping actually increases their CO2 emissions for a given output because they must take over the load when the wind is not blowing.

• Wind Farms are very costly and are highly subsidised through the ROC system (Renewable Obligation Certificates). They are only being developed because the operators get more than twice as much in subsidy as they do from selling the electricity generated. Building onshore wind farms is an easy and cheap route to large handouts for the developer and the land owner. Wind farms are not the only alternative to current energy sources. Money is siphoned away from other more reliable technologies such as bio-fuels, tidal and hydro power etc. This quote from Country Guardian gives a details explanation into how the subsidy system works: "A single 2 MW wind turbine operating at 30% load factor would, on the basis of the above figures, receive an annual subsidy of over £235,000". To read the whole article here ... Country Guardian - Subsidy System

• Wind farms will never make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions even if we have 5 or 10 times the current number. And the cost in terms of trashed landscape, blighted lives and missed opportunities is just not worth it.

The wind power industry claims that wind turbines are 30% efficient. True - a few in the windier parts of the country are. The majority are much less efficient, with the average being 26% (24% in the East of England). Some are much less efficient than that even!

It is claimed that each MegaWatt of wind power generated electricity will save 2,260 tonnes of CO2 per year. This assumes all electricity is generated using dirty coal. However, the majority of power stations are now either gas or nuclear. The real 'saving' is 1,130 tonnes per year, half of the wind power industry claim! (That is before factoring in the need to keep conventional power stations running.) Some research contends that the net reduction in CO2 emissions is NIL! (David Tolley of Innogy Plc. "NETA The Consequences - A Keynote Address" - Institution of Mechanical Engineers, January 2003) Calculations are based on figures from 'DEFRA Fuel Conversion Factors for Grid Electricity'.

The economics do not stack up, except for power companies.

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Wind Turbine Efficiency Europe - Denmark has now withdrawn government subsidies to land-based wind-farms.

• It is more cost effective to give every householder an energy saving light bulb than it is to pay such huge subsidies to wind turbine operators. Calculations based on 'The Case Against Wind Farms' - Dr. J. R. Etherington (2006). Read here ...

• Subsidies are too high. A 3 MegaWatt wind turbine (similar to those proposed by Infinergy) will receive a subsidy of up to £350,000 per year! This calculation is based on Dr. J. R. Etherington's The Case Against Wind Farms (see above).

• A detailed analysis paper by White in 2004 written for the Renewable Energy Foundation noted that the European experience over 20 years had shown that "wind generated power to be variable, unpredictable and uncontrollable" and that annual electricity production was "routinely disappointing" and "this does not auger well for the UK's chance of achieving significant emissions abatement."

• The experience in Ireland has been similar (Impact of wind power generation in Ireland on the operation of conventional plant and the economic implications; 2004). Operating gas turbine power stations with powering up and down generated more CO2 per kWh of electricity than if the stations were operated on the normal planned load. This frequent powering up and down of the power stations had not been anticipated at design: such operation not only increased CO2emissions, but also increased wear and tear - shortening the period between overhauls and leading to higher maintenance costs. General Electric, who manufactured the gas turbines used in the Irish power stations, have drawn attention to the adverse consequences of operating gas turbines in this way. The Irish evidence shows that as the installed wind power capacity increases, CO2 emissions actually increase as a direct result of having to cope with the variation in wind power output.

• No long term economic benefit in employment. Only some temporary jobs will be generated during the construction phase, but once operational the project will not create any full time jobs locally.

• The National Audit Office already recognises that onshore wind offers over-generous subsidies to developers. With electricity prices at current levels and subsidies via the ROC system at about £47.50 per MWh, it is estimated the Infinergy and Ridgewind power stations would each generate revenues of more than £2.1m per annum, of which almost £1.25m would come from subsidy. Nearly 70% of this sum is the excess profit that accrues from the current subsidy system.

• For recent press coverage on the profitability of onshore wind turbines, please see the Sunday Times article of 27th January 2008 - 'Wind farms turn huge profit with help of subsidies'. Read here ...

• www.peopleandplanet.net published an article on 12th August,2008 on India's lack of success with wind energy. 'India's wind power boom is failing to deliver' - Read here ...

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Landscape and Visual Impact

If the developments are approved, the land on which these two wind farms will be built will be reclassified from agricultural to industrial use.

Read more on the Vale of Belvoir

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Environmental Issues

The base of each turbine will consist of an olympic swimming pool sized excavation filled with concrete. Each turbine will also need an access road. The Infinergy development is on a flood plain and the concrete foundations will increase the risk of flooding to the surrounding area. This includes local highways such as the A1 at Long Bennington which flooded in 2007.

All this destruction to our countryside is being sanctioned by the government because of the 'concept' that we must save our planet from the threat of global warming. Yet the theory of the earth being in a period of collapse due to the activities of mankind is challenged by over 31,000 scientists. The evidence which they put forward actually promotes the opposite view - that an increase of CO2 in the earth’s atmosphere would be more beneficial to plant growth and create a greener planet. Read more…

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House Prices

Read here (pdf)

Property Values & House Prices

Homeowners living near windfarms see property values plummet

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TV Reception

Wind turbines can interfere with telecommunications signals, including TV and radio, mainly by the multi-path effect, where there is corruption or distortion of the received signal by the secondary signal. Uniquely with wind turbines this may 'chop' the signal, causing variable 'ghosting' or 'jittering' on the TV picture. Once analogue TV is replaced by digital it is possible that transmission will be less vulnerable to interference.

However, the BBC and Ofcom do recognise that wind farms have a disruptive effect on analogue television reception and because of their moving blades, require additional consideration compared with static structures. The Infinergy ES admits that there will be a “shadow” effect for houses where the turbines lie on the path from the relevant transmitter. This shadow effect lasts up to 5km from the wind farm. It is impossible to determine what the actual effect will be until the wind farm is operational.

When a wind farm is built, the signal degradation will be instantaneous and universal. Given the importance of television to the quality of life of many people, especially the elderly, a long wait for the wind farm company to correct the problem is totally unacceptable. In the case of the Burton Wold wind farm over 400 houses required the installation of set-top boxes.

Swishing blades spoiling our TV reception ...
Viewers hit by TV blackout because of wind farm ...

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Setting a bad precedent

Charles Sandham of Infinergy stated at Long Bennington PC meeting that he saw no reason why twenty or thirty turbines should not be put up over a period of time.

The Vale of Belvoir could be in danger of becoming a wind farm 'alley'. Once one wind farm has been granted permission, there is a greater likelihood of others in the same area being allowed. In Swaffam in Norfolk where the locals supported the building of two turbines, eight have been built outside a nearby village and a further six are being proposed. Once the landscape has been degraded by one wind farm, the visual impact argument, which is one of the strongest, no longer applies.

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Public Rights of Way

The proposed sites for wind development lie directly in the middle of the A1 and A52 triangle. An industrial site in the middle of open agricultural land will have a significant impact on the rights of way network in an already severely restricted area.

The villages of Allington, Sedgebrook, Bottesford, Easthorpe and Normanton are dependent on the open access available to them to the west of the A1 and north of the A52. Due to the natural barriers these major roads represent, walkers, cyclists and in particular horse riders are constrained to this area for their recreational enjoyment. The applicant's proposal will completely dominate this area to the effect that instead of having the pleasure of enjoying the open Lincolnshire countryside, the public will be continually in the shadow of massive industrial machinery.

The Viking Way is a long distance National Trail that starts on the banks of the Humber in the north and winds its way through Lincolnshire to finish on the shores of Rutland Water, a total of 235km (147 miles). The route passes 260m to the east of two of the turbines on the proposed Infinergy wind farm site.

Research carried out for ROWIP (Rights of Way Improvement Plans) identified that walking is the most popular form of activity with circular routes of 2 to 5 miles directly from home being the norm. Dog walkers are regular users of local rights of way often exercising twice a day. This is especially true for the local villages surrounding the proposed turbine site, particularly Bottesford Road leading out of Allington, where locals and residents travel to enjoy the panoramic views and stunning sunsets this area has to offer. This amenity will be completely ruined if this application is allowed.

From Bottesford a public right of way passes between two of the turbines on the proposed RidgeWind site leaving as little as 20m distance from a turbine. It is important to note that a turbine manufacturer (Vestas) specifies that human beings should avoid going within 400m of a turbine, for reasons of health and safety.

At present the Vale's outstanding feature is Belvoir Castle but as these turbines will be visible from 20 miles away (depending on weather conditons) this will no longer be the case. To protect the Belvoir Vale, meaning Beautiful View, from this development this application must be refused.

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Historic Features

The protections identified in the national and regional policies fall through into the South Kesteven Local Plan. In addition Policy EN7 provides specific protection to the seven registered parks, indicating that they offer a great resource to the District and that special care must be taken to ensure that the historical value of the areas is enhanced rather than damaged. The seven properties are:

* Belton House
* Caythorpe Court
* Easton Park
* Grimsthorpe Castle
* Harlaxton Manor
* Marston Hall
* Stoke Rochford Hall

In addition, within Nottinghamshire, Staunton Hall and Park is under two miles from the site and the internationally recognised Belvoir Castle is only four miles away. These receive protection under the relevant national, regional and local policies.

In a letter to South Kesteven District Council regarding the Infinergy proposal, James Edgar of English Heritage said the following:

"English Heritage recommends that your authority should refuse this application because of both the significant direct and cumulative adverse effects on the setting and visual amenity of a number of heritage assets and on the whole historic landscape of the Vale of Belvoir which contains historic buildings and monuments of outstanding and international significance."

" The surroundings in which the two dominant historic places - Belvoir Castle LBS 189989 and its park and the Church of St Mary LBS 190042 - are jointly experienced (their setting) constitutes the whole of this part of the Vale extending over a considerable distance in all directions. One interesting example is the land just to the north of Bottesford. Beacon Hill, a prominent landmark with a network of public rights of way, is a critical part of the surroundings in which the historic places are experienced. We firmly believe that change of the scale proposed will diminish the experience and therefore significance of the historic places as the turbines, albeit will be intrusive and even dominate by being extremely tall, high in number, extensive in scale, moving and, possibly, causing noise."

His comments applied to Infinergy but will be even more relevant if RidgeWind submit an application. To read the full letter from James Edgar, please click the link below.

English Heritage

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Road Safety

Wind turbines 125m high with 71m diameter rotating blades will attract the attention of all people within their visual range. Obviously as separation distance narrows so the propensity for distraction increases.

The A1 and the A52 are already unacceptably dangerous and the A52 is the longest of the Road Safety Red Routes and carries an unacceptably high level of traffic. There have been over 40 accidents on this road. In the last 5yrs alone, there have been 30 fatal and 154 serious injury collisions. Currently engineering work is underway to improve the A1 but nothing has been done for the A52. As well as carrying a substantial amount of commercial traffic, the A52 runs through some of the most popular tourist resorts in the country.

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Ecology

Ornithology

The Marston Sewage Treatment Works, one of the best inland birding sites in the county with 165 species of birds recorded, lies within 7 km of the proposed sites. A second important bird habitat in the vicinity is the ridge along the Vale of Belvoir which supports Common Buzzards, Red Kite, Merlin and Peregrine Falcons.

Raptors are particularly susceptible to collisions with wind turbines. When they are hunting their attention is focused on their prey and collisions with blade tips travelling at 170mph become more likely.

Bats

Bats are one of the most heavily protected species in the country of international importance and the UK has signed up to The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (Eurobats). This aims to protect all 45 species of bat identified in Europe. One of its recommendations is that turbines should be placed at least 200m from a bat foraging route. Yet in these schemes turbine blades actually overfly hedges and one turbine is within 100m of woodland.

Both the proposed sites have many features conducive to bat activity, namely ditches, ponds, hedgerows and woodland. Indeed 6 species of bats were recorded on the Infinergy site with two being high-flying species, Noctules and Daubentons.

Bats are listed as a UK "Priority Species" and it is an offence to:

* Intentionally or deliberately kill, injure or capture bats
* Deliberately disturb bats (whether at roost or not)

The prevalence of bats in the area is shown by one of the hedgerow logging sites showing an average of 713 passes per night. It is therefore clear that the introduction of wind farms to an area of high bat usage will disturb the bats and will likely cause collisions resulting in injury or death.

Other Mammals and Amphibians

Fifteen species of butterfly and three species of dragonfly/damselfly are to be found in the area, including the Grizzled Skipper. This is proposed to be a priority UK Species and a Species Action Plan has already been drawn up by the counties of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Brown hares are frequently seen in the area and are of national importance as a UK BAP priority species and Lincolnshire have included this species in its BAP.

Great crested newts and badgers have also been confirmed on the site.

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