Press release
Dear SHCG Supporter,
Many of you will have seen or heard of the wind-monitoring mast put up on Stonewall Hill at the end of November. Do not be dismayed - the mast may be an ugly reminder but it also represents progress for us.
Wind farms must conform to the noise limits set by ETSU-R-97 the official guidelines on noise. The predicted noise levels found in the previous data were close to the allowable limits.
As a result of representations from our Solicitors, Dulas (the developers' consultants) have agreed to redo their sound measurements. This reassessment will address the issue of wind sheer and will also involve measurements at several new sites close to the development that were left out last time. We complained about the choice of background noise measurement sites prior to the February planning meeting but we were ignored. We have now confirmed that the developer did not even agree these with the Council's Environmental Health Officer (EHO) - as recommended by the ETSU-R-97 guidelines.
This time, the choice of properties and the location of sound-recording equipment were agreed at a site visit on 10 Dec 2009 by a group including Herefordshire and Powys EHOs and SHCG. This is the first time that the Council and developers have granted SHCG any meaningful role in discussions of the wind farm application.
Once procedures have been agreed, sound monitoring will take place over a 2-3 week period in early January. The data will then be analysed by Dulas' acousticians. The data and analysis will also be submitted to Mike Stigwood, an acoustician working on our behalf.
We understand that the outcome of this new assessment will be presented to the planning committee but do not yet know any further details about timing or procedure. We will let you know in due course.
Events so far certainly justify our decision to employ an experienced firm of solicitors who have been able to advise us on complex technical issues such as noise and have involved a leading acoustics company on our behalf. If the current measurements lead to predictions above the allowable guidelines, the Council will have to reconsider its position.
Meanwhile, Powys County Council has not yet considered the application for access via Llanshay Lane because the developers have not yet provided all the information requested.
It is thanks to all your support that we have got this far. We are extremely grateful to all those who are working to protect the glorious border landscape of Stonewall Hill. We will, of course, keep you informed about future developments.
Dr. Stephen Hugh-Jones, Chairman, SHCG, 20 December 2009
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The Stonewall Hill and Reeves Hill Conservation Group has been set up to co-ordinate actions and protect the tranquillity of Stonewall and Reeves hill which are under threat from wind power station developers. We welcome the establishment of renewable energy in suitable locations but this is a highly visible site perched at 400m (1300ft) on the Border between England and Wales and next to a road well-used by locals, sight-seers and walkers. Its forecast output of 25% of 10MW capacity does not justify the damage to the surrounding countryside.
The nearest properties are c700m (765 yards) from, and 200m (650ft) below, the tips of the turbines. Apart from the towering visual impact, occupants may be affected by noise and flicker impacts which in some areas have driven people from their home.
Those unfortunate to live too close to the 100M (330ft) turbines may be affected by excess noise pollution and flicker. In some areas, residents have been driven from their homes. Many other countries place strict limits on the distance a wind turbine can be from your home. In France, for example the turbine must be at least 1.5Km from your home but here it is only 500m!
The turbines would be bigger than any yet built in the countryside of Wales or the south-western half of England, and more than twice the height of those built at Llandinam, south of Newtown. That’s taller than Big Ben or a 30 storey tower block. They would be visible as moving structures for miles around from hills and valleys on both sides of the Border. Users of the Offa’s Dyke Path would have repeated views, notably from Hawthorn Hill and the Green Price Memorial.
If you wish to join our group and help save our rural environment from inappropriate development, then please complete the form below. You will receive regular updates as developments happen.
If you wish further information regarding wind turbines please visit http://www.countryguardian.net/
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