BIRDSEDGE, HUDDERSFIELD, WEST YORKSHIRE

BOLT
BIRDSEDGE AND DISTRICT OPPOSITION TO
LARGE WIND TURBINES

PLANNING APPLICATION NUMBER: 2010/91751
QUOTE THIS NUMBER ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE.

See the application at: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/business/planning/Details.asp?id=2010%2F91751

If you wish to write a letter of objection to Kirklees councillors who will be instrumental in deciding whether Birdsedge and High Flatts residents live in the shadow of four enormous turbines please write now to:

Nick Willock, Planning Officer
Kirklees Council, PO Box B93, Civic Centre 3, Huddersfield, HD1 2JR

Jonathan Barrett, Head of Planning,
Kirklees Council, PO Box B93, Civic Centre 3, Huddersfield, HD1 2JR

Cllr Mehboob Khan, Leader of Kirklees Council
The Leader's Office, Crown Court Buildings, Princess Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2TT

Cllr Peter McBride, Chair of Planning Committee
18 Netheroyd Hill Road, Fixby, Huddersfield, HD2 2LP

Please note it is very important that you send a letter in your own words. Each letter is worth 250 signatures on a petition, but form letters don’t have the same impact – it has to be in your own words. You can however use our objections list below as a guideline. Object to any or all or even just one of the points in it. Ask that you be kept informed of any plans, either now or in the future, to develop a wind farm project.

Please, when you write your letters, make a copy of each one and give it to any one of the BOLT committee or to: Steve Ashley, 7 Highfield Avenue, Birdsedge, Huddersfield, HD8 8XT

Here are some of the area specific and technical reasons why we don't want our village to be ringed by four or five structures that are almostthe height of Blackpool Tower.

 Visual impact on an area of outstanding natural beauty, including visual Impact on the skyline from the Peak National Park
 Looming visual and audible presence over the villages of Birdsedge and High Flatts
 Cumulative effect of this wind farm combined with others planned in the surrounding area – some over the border in South Yorkshire, but close to Birdsedge and High Flatts
 Proximity to a residential community, being only 500 metres or so away from houses, and a church and 600 metres away from a primary school, a well attended village hall and a bus route with passenger stops.
 Proximity to rural roads popularly used by horse riders, cyclists, walkers, dog-walkers, runners and hikers as well as local traffic and agricultural traffic
 Proximity (less than 200 metres) to an area on Birdsedge Lane designated by Kirklees as a nature reserve and with planning permission for stables for Riding for the Disabled.
 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). Even a small piece of ice can kill when flung from a blade or dropped from a height. From a very large wind turbine the 'throw' would certainly be within a 200 metre radius and 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 think: It will never happen here.)
 Potential dangers from 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.
 Potential Sun /Light flicker/strobe effect caused by such large blades at times of low sun causing major annoyance for residents in the shadow (most of the village) and also a driving hazard at times of low sun (much of the day in the winter time). Flicker not only causes annoyance which can affect wellbeing, promote feelings of irritability and anger (leading to aggression), but can also cause migraines and other health hazards. For some people, flashing lights can trigger potentially lethal epileptic seizures.
 Potential noise disturbance to the school and dwellings across the whole frequency spectrum (the swish swish swish of blades for instance).
 Very low frequency noise (that low rumbling noise you can barely hear but you feel it in your body) in particular is associated with health hazards such as anxiety and depression; aggravation and aggression; insomnia and/or loss of quality in sleep; lessened concentration and a general malaise. This affects not only humans but wild and domestic animals and birds. No amount of double glazing will keep it out of your house, it travels through wall unimpeded.
 Potential harm to domestic animals, horses, cattle and sheep on the surrounding grazing land – and on your pets whose hearing is more sensitive than yours is.
 Potential damage to wildlife – for instance there are a lot of bats in the area which are protected by law
 Damage to a potential Iron Age archaeological site (never dug) on the crown of Castle Hill.
 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)
 Wind turbines may cause interference with television signals requiring adjustment or replacement of aerials or installation of cable/ satellite.
 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.
 Massive industrial construction in a greenbelt area
 There is currently a private members bill going through parliament which will set the minimum distance from housing at 1.5 miles (approx 2 kilometres. This plan sets turbines at less than a quarter of that distance from housing. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/windturbinesminimumdistancesfromresidentialpremiseshl.html

If you live in Birdsedge, High Flatts, Cumberworth, Upper Cumberworth, Sovereign, Gate Foot, the top half of Shepley and parts of Ingbirchworth, you probably live within a 2 km radius of where these enormous turbines are likely to be sited unless we all do something together, NOW.

There's legislation proposed in parliament to make a 2 kilometre stand-off zone for wind turbines. This bill is in it's very early stages and will not be passed in time to protect us from this application, but the Turbines here are less than a quarter of the proposed new 'safe distance'. Don't let the planners beat the lawmakers on a loophole.

If you have skills which might help our campaign and you wish to get involved, please contact Steve Ashley on 01484 606533.

For more information visit our website: http://www.birdsedge.co.uk

Thank you for your support.

Here's a document to help you

Thank you for your support. Please don't delay. Write now to:

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

BOLT
BIRDSEDGE AND DISTRICT OPPOSITION TO
LARGE WIND TURBINES