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/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 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23282 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:06:32 GMT Plans to build three 126-metre wind turbines at Matlock Moor have been opposed by NE Derbyshire District councillors. The application was considered by the authority's Planning Committee on Tuesday, when members voted 14 to three against the scheme submitted by Derbyshire Wind Energy. It comes as Derbyshire Dales District councillors ...also ruled to oppose the scheme yesterday. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23282 http://www.windaction.org/articles/23123 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:41:34 GMT Plans to build wind turbines next to two villages look set to be given the go-ahead after planning officers recommended that permission be granted. The controversial plans to build two 125m-tall turbines on land between Seamer and Hilton, near Stokesley, in North Yorkshire, were revised by developers after they were initially rejected by Hambleton District Council in November 2008. http://www.windaction.org/articles/23123 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22854 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:10:32 GMT Lochaber's first windfarm was given the go-ahead yesterday, but it took the votes of councillors from outwith the area to approve the controversial four-turbine project. Caol and Mallaig councillors Bill Clark, Allan Henderson and Donald Cameron all opposed the development by Edinburgh-based North British Windpower, but an amendment by Black Isle councillor, Isabel McCallum, seconded by her Lochalsh colleague, Isabel Campbell, won the vote 6-3. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22854 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22694 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:53:52 GMT Wind turbines are the symbol for the UK's green revolution but as factories close the industry has warned it is being kept in the slow lane by "archaic" planning laws. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22694 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22486 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:21:21 GMT An energy company which has fought for nearly eight years to get permission for wind turbines on Mid Norfolk farmland last night issued a strong "we won't walk away" message after it was accused of bullying the local community. Ecotricity managing director Dale Vince reinforced his determination to develop on a site at Wood Farm, Bradenham, near Dereham, which has been at the centre of a bitter planning saga. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22486 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22227 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:43:22 GMT Hundreds more wind farms than those already planned will have to be built to meet "flawed" Government targets for renewable energy, it was claimed last night. ...Professor Ian Fells, an energy expert and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said the Government's plans were "hugely expensive" and "wildly optimistic." http://www.windaction.org/articles/22227 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22194 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:15:00 GMT Controversial plans to build four 102m wind turbines at Carsington Pastures have been given the go-ahead. A High Court Judge has today determined that proposals for the wind farm should proceed. Pundits said the ruling could be a landmark case for the future of wind farms across Britain. http://www.windaction.org/articles/22194 http://www.windaction.org/articles/22180 Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:40:09 GMT Selby District Council this week agreed to form a stringent wind farm framework in a bid to stop the area skyline being "decimated with turbines". Members of the authority's policy and resources committee voted on Tuesday night to spend £30,000 to employ experts to assess all wind farm applications. ..."We've currently got eight or nine applications coming in, and I don't think we want to have our whole skyline decimated with turbines." http://www.windaction.org/articles/22180