http://www.windaction.org/ facts, analysis, exposure of wind energy's real impacts en-us Windaction hourly 1 http://backend.userland.com/rss http://www.windaction.org/articles/5031 Wed, 13 Sep 2006 11:59:36 GMT Wind turbines are being built on Blackpool's promenade to help power its famous illuminations. Council officials are putting up three turbines initially to work out how cost effective the wind energy will be. http://www.windaction.org/articles/5031 http://www.windaction.org/articles/1167 Thu, 01 Dec 2005 05:00:00 GMT http://www.windaction.org/articles/1167 http://www.windaction.org/articles/38078 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 21:44:11 GMT The high court case followed accusations by wind farm developer RWE Npower Renewables that two proposed wind farms had been rejected by the council as a result of the "emerging policy" of new "buffer zones", despite the proposals being in line with the established local policy that was "permissive" of wind farms. http://www.windaction.org/articles/38078 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37647 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 14:48:25 GMT Sir Simon said failure to have a plan in place will not mean more houses are built but "more conflict" as local communities use the law courts to fight the vague new legislation. "It will just mean that everyone will be fighting, fighting, fighting and that is not the best way of running rural Britain," he added. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37647 http://www.windaction.org/articles/37212 Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:49:50 GMT Renewable energy developers are hoping the government will prevent a growing number of county councils from imposing wind farm buffer zones, which could severely restrict developments across the country. Buffer zones are designed to prevent turbines from being installed too close to people's homes. http://www.windaction.org/articles/37212 http://www.windaction.org/articles/35288 Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:00:20 GMT "The 2km separation distance comes from the Scottish Planning Policy. The 2km distance is the separation distance between areas of search and the edge of cities, towns and villages; it is to guide developments to the most appropriate sites and to reduce visual impact. It can also be used in dealing with visual impact from individual turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/35288 http://www.windaction.org/articles/34397 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:50:11 GMT "Let this be a lesson to people who want to come into our Valley. We are not here to be picked off by wind farms and finance." Bacup councillor Andy MacNae claimed the applicant had done the "minimum possible" at every stage, including in its public consultation and a "derisory" offer of £3,000 per year compensation. http://www.windaction.org/articles/34397 http://www.windaction.org/articles/33965 Sat, 31 Dec 2011 19:59:48 GMT Campaigners say they have little faith in the Scottish Government listening to local opinion after figures showed only five major wind farm applications have been turned down in the last four years. http://www.windaction.org/articles/33965 http://www.windaction.org/articles/30140 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:03:12 GMT Controversial plans for four giant wind turbines in the midst of two scenic Norfolk coastal communities have been rejected by a government planning inspector. ...In a six page report the planning inspector says the turbines would "unacceptably change" and result in "material harm" to the landscape. http://www.windaction.org/articles/30140 http://www.windaction.org/articles/29880 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:52:25 GMT He said the planning system had become "skewed", favouring the development of giant wind turbines over protecting environmentally rich regions such as the Westcountry. Wind farm plans have repeatedly come up against angry opposition in Devon and Cornwall. http://www.windaction.org/articles/29880 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24129 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:37:33 GMT Wind turbines standing as high as 15 metres (50ft) will be allowed on farmland and industrial estates without planning permission, under proposals to boost renewable energy. The turbines will be approved across large areas of the countryside, provided they meet noise and impact restrictions. John Healey, the housing minister, also announced plans to fast-track applications for solar panels on stadiums, schools, railway stations and offices, as part of proposals to achieve national commitments on climate change. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24129 http://www.windaction.org/articles/24043 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:30:01 GMT Supporters and opponents of plans to build wind farms in Cheshire will have been keen spectators of a heated debate in the House of Commons. Peter Luff MP introduced a ten-minute rule bill on the proximity of wind turbines to homes which has gained backing from Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall and Eddisbury MP Stephen O'Brien. The bill, which is not expected to become law but may be considered by future government, is designed to create a 2km ‘buffer-zone' around any 125m commercial wind turbines. http://www.windaction.org/articles/24043 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23995 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:51:36 GMT More than 100 Byram residents living less than one mile from land earmarked for nine turbines have now written to the Labour politician voicing their concerns over noise, vibrations and flickering shadows. They want him to support the Onshore Wind Turbines Bill put forward by Peter Luff to Parliament on Tuesday, requesting a 2km separation distance, as is the case in Scotland and France. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23995 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23876 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:27:59 GMT Windfarm operators say new guidelines could jeopardise extension plans for their project near Fintry - and massive cash boosts for local villages along with it. Falck Renewables is looking to extend the Earlsburn windfarm and an application for a further nine turbines is currently with Stirling Council. The new proposal would broaden the community benefits package ...But the company says moves by Stirling Council to update its windfarm policy could prove too restrictive. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23876 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23917 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:22:35 GMT Back in July, DDC wrote to the Government asking for guidance on how it should deal with a proliferation of ‘speculative' proposals for wind farms in the local area. ...Replying to the council, the Rt Hon Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said: "You make the point that clearer leadership is required on the issue of sustainable energy and what installations are actually needed ...I agree we need to show clear leadership in this area, and while I agree there is more to do, I think we are going in the right direction." http://www.windaction.org/articles/23917 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23636 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:53:21 GMT Planning bosses have refused permission for a wind monitoring mast to be built in Stinchcombe. Members of Stroud District Council's development control committee gave a majority vote against the application by green energy company Ecotricity on Tuesday. The company wanted to build the 70-metre mast at Standle Farm on land between the M5 and the A38. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23636 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23507 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:07:56 GMT Plans to erect an 18m. wind turbine on the outskirts of Burnley town centre have been given the green light. Neighbouring residents had objected to the turbine, which will be built on land by The Kestrels, in Manchester Road, due to the impact on the landscape and noise that will be made. However, Burnley Council's Development Control Committee passed the proposals despite reservations from some members. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23507 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23360 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:19:21 GMT Two Derbyshire councils are formally objecting against plans for a wind farm on the edge of the Peak District. Derbyshire Wind Energy, a subsidiary of West Coast Energy, wants to build three 126-metre turbines on Matlock Moor, overlooking the Derwent Valley close to Chatsworth House and the national park boundary. Opponents fear it will harm the landscape and deter tourists from the area. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23360 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23354 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:58:48 GMT An inspector was due to hear an appeal against the rejection by North Lincolnshire Council for a seven turbine plan for Flixborough Grange on Tuesday. But the planning inspectorate has said the matter now needs to go to a full public inquiry because of complicated issues and the number of people who were likely to come along. No date has been set. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23354 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23275 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:59:49 GMT Scottish ministers have rejected an appeal for planning permission for a 16-turbine wind farm on a hill directly opposite Rothesay Bay. Over five months after the end of a public inquiry - which took place in April at Colintraive Hall - ministers agreed with the findings of reporter Karen Heywood that the project would have a "significant detrimental landscape and visual impact" on the area. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23275