BIRDSEDGE, HUDDERSFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE

BOLT
BIRDSEDGE AND DISTRICT OPPOSITION TO
LARGE WIND TURBINES

What about safety? How close is too close?

Good question!

The European Union has a recommended standoff from houseing of 2 kilometres. This figure hasn't been chosen arbirarily. Europe's finest minds worked out the sensible safe distance taking into consideration both health and safety factors. The only reasin we're fighting this proposed windfarm now is that England has not adopted the European guidelines yet. They may do later - but by that time it will be too late for us.

Scotland has adopted the guidelines. Clever Scotland!

The map which has come into our hands shoiws a potential five wind turbines, Two of them are on the hill directly above the housing estate and are, respectively, a distance of just under 500 metres and just over 500 metres from the nearest housing and barely 600 metres from the church, school and village hall.

The turbine which is situated furthest from hiuseing is the one overlooking Park Head. Even this lone is barely 900 metres from housing.

Never mind the two kilometre guideling. These turbines are within one kilometre of the villages of Birdsedge and High Flatts and within 2 kilometres of parts of Shepley, Denby, Upper Cumberworth, Sovereign, Lane Head and Ingbirchworth.

Blade snaps off Wind Turbine in Scotland
BBC News 23rd march 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8582554.stm

Read here http://www.off-grid.net/2008/01/15/vestas-turbine-collapse/

Turbine failure SAFETY

There is potential danger caused by debris, (turbine parts) due to mechanical failure, as has been experienced in Scottish, American and European wind farms and even (twice) in a turbine in Sheffield. Turbines can fail and when they do so, they fail spectacularly and dangerously

Potential dangers caused by ice being flung from the blades in winter (heavy chunks as large as 2 feet across having been reported in Lincolnshire). From a very large wind turbine the 'throw' could be up to 700 metres. (And we are in the same area in which accumulated ice brought down Emley Moor mast in March 1969, so don't say: It will never happen here.)

Massive disruption to local roads for many months during construction including the enlargement of junctions in order for the extra large vehicles to turn to reach the site. This is not just a disruption to local and agricultural traffi. Our rural roads are used by horse riders, cyclists, walkers, dog-walkers, runners and hikers as well.

Potential for a mid-air accident as there is a local airstrip within 1 km of turbines (which will be in the flight path of the only runway)

There are hundreds of reportsand videos on the net showing spectacular turbine failure or ice damage or mid-air collisons. Don't take our word fro it. Google 'wind turbine failure' or ;wind turbine fire' or wind turbine accident' and see how many hits you get.

A blade fell off a turbine in Lincolnshire
See the BBC report here
The telling part oif this news report is here " A spokesman said the turbines were in a very isolated location and there was no danger to property or the public. An inspection is due to be carried out. "
WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THAT TURBINE HAD BEEN ONLY 500 METRES FROM HOUSING LIKE THE PROPOSED TURBINES AT BIRDSEDGE AND HIGH FLATTS?

This report says a turbine was destroiyed by a UFO
Yeah, right... and then you read a little bit further down and discover that it was probably hit by something airborne and unidentified. We're not talking aliens, we're talking aircraft. I'm sure Mr Mallinson who flies his light aircraft frm his private airstrip in the lee of the proposed turbines is thrilled by this.
It turned out to be only broken bolts securing the blades to the hub. Not aliens. Should we be relieved? I don't think so.

Here's a nice comforting list of wind farm accidents - many of them fatal.

Further information from Steve Ashley the secretary of BOLT. 01484 606533 or boltaction2009@yahoo.co.uk

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Quote planning number 2010/91751 on all correspondence with Kirklees Council

1) Write Letters Click for a sheet to help you (word document)

2) Display a BOLT banner. If you would like a banner they are £15.00 each or a donation to bolt would be nice. For banners contact Matt Wright: matt@ploughbarn.co.uk

3) Display a BOLT poster

4) Tell your neighbours

5) Donate money for costs (printing etc.)

6) Help with fundraising

7) Attend fundraising events

BOLT BIRDSEDGE AND DISTRICT OPPOSITION TO LARGE WIND TURBINES

What about safety? How close is too close?

BOLT
BIRDSEDGE AND DISTRICT OPPOSITION TO
LARGE WIND TURBINES