Fears windfarm will ruin sea view appeal
Blackpool Today|January 24, 2007
Controversial windfarm plans could leave Fylde coast residents with falling property prices and a ruined view, a councillor today claimed. And Coun Ron Shewan is demanding that Wyre Council opposes the scheme which would put windfarms only three miles off Fleetwood. He said: “We have one of the most beautiful seafronts you could get and it would be a detriment from the environmental point because of the sea view.”
Controversial windfarm plans could leave Fylde coast residents with falling property prices and a ruined view, a councillor today claimed. And Coun Ron Shewan is demanding that Wyre Council opposes the scheme which would put windfarms only three miles off Fleetwood. He said: “We have one of the most beautiful seafronts you could get and it would be a detriment from the environmental point because of the sea view.”
Controversial windfarm plans could leave Fylde coast residents with falling property prices and a ruined view, a councillor today claimed.
And Coun Ron Shewan is demanding that Wyre Council opposes the scheme which would put windfarms only three miles off Fleetwood.
He said: “We have one of the most beautiful seafronts you could get and it would be a detriment from the environmental point because of the sea view.”
When the Shell Flat windfarm was originally mooted it was further south nearer to Blackpool and was five miles from the coast. But efforts to avoid a habitat of the threatened scoter duck have brought the alternative site off Fleetwood.
The scheme would be one of the closest to shore in the …
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Controversial windfarm plans could leave Fylde coast residents with falling property prices and a ruined view, a councillor today claimed.
And Coun Ron Shewan is demanding that Wyre Council opposes the scheme which would put windfarms only three miles off Fleetwood.
He said: “We have one of the most beautiful seafronts you could get and it would be a detriment from the environmental point because of the sea view.”
When the Shell Flat windfarm was originally mooted it was further south nearer to Blackpool and was five miles from the coast. But efforts to avoid a habitat of the threatened scoter duck have brought the alternative site off Fleetwood.
The scheme would be one of the closest to shore in the UK. Turbines near Great Yarmouth in Norfolk are one-and-half miles offshore and approval has been granted for a windfarm only a mile off Porthcawl in Mid Glamorgan.
Coun Shewan said: “These turbines are not particularly attractive they are just functional and necessary.
“Wyre Council should be against this being so close to the shore.
“Apart from the visual aspect, the noise from any broken or damaged bearings could make a hell of a noise.
“Fleetwood’s view is ideal to attract visitors and a windfarm isn’t going to help at all.
“It needs to go somewhere, but not that close.
“It could also affect property prices. There are some high value properties on the promenade which encourage people with good incomes, which in turn creates investment in the town.
“One minute you’re looking at the Lakeland hills, the next there are these windmills in the way.
“We need to keep our town as pristine as possible. I’m not against windfarms, but this is too close.”
A decision on the windfarm will be made by the Department of Trade and Industry in about 12 months.
All Wyre Council can do is give its view on the scheme and council officials are currently weighing the issues before a policy is decided upon.
Coun Vivien Taylor said: “I’ve not been made aware of these proposals officially although I have seen publicity about them.
“When I have studied the proposals I will make a response.”