Turbines threaten rare birds

The RSPB has raised "serious concerns" about the Flixbrough Grange windfarm development, revealing rare birds live in the area of the proposed development.

A pond in the north of the site has been the home of marsh harriers and bitterns since at least 2005, research by the bird charity as shown.

But developer Ridge Wind said it had considered the environmental impact of its development and was sure there would be no damage caused by the windfarm.

Ridge Wind spokesman Ben Moore said: "We are in agreement with the RSPB and we intend to fulfil their suggested condition.

"I don't think we are disagreeing with them. The consultation and ecological study still stands in our mind.

"The RSPB letter is not an objection. It's asking for a planning condition we have already agreed to."

In the letter to North Lincolnshire Council planning chief Mike Welton, RSPB conservation chief Gillian Flint said: "We consider the proposed site to be an important area for qualifying birds species and assemblages of the Humber Estuary Special Protection Area and have serious concerns about the proposed developments.

"In particular, RSPB records show booming bitterns using the pond area to be north of the site in 2005 and last year.

"We understand the nearest proposed turbine is about 0.8km from this area and do not consider turbines should be located any closer than this to minimise potential impact on the bitterns.

"We consider post construction monitoring, assuming approval for the proposal is granted, should be made a planning condition of the proposal.

"While individual windfarms may not have a significant impact on birds, taken together, the impacts of collision, loss of habitat, disruption flightlines and displacement from feeding sites could become significant."

Campaign group Burton Against Turbines has claimed the RSPB intervention could be vital in scrutiny of the application, which has already been thrown out once by North Lincolnshire Council's planning committee.

Campaigner Paul Fowler said: "RSPB records show that both marsh harriers and bitterns were using the pond and its reeds to the south as early as 2005, yet Ridge Wind's ecology expert, who surveyed this exact same area consistently, said there was no evidence of these birds.

"This has now compromised the original application, as the planning officer included in his report a recommendation any of the turbines could be sited 50m in any direction from original proposed positions depending on ground conditions.

"This would go against the RSPB's advice regarding the bittern."