Wind farm noise affects residents
AN ONLNE survey set up by North Devon MP Nick Harvey has shown nearly 80 per cent of those living near to Fullabrook Wind Farm are affected by the noise of the turbines.
Mr Harvey created the survey at the beginning of October after meeting people who were angry at how much the country's largest onshore wind farm was affecting their everyday lives.
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NOISY NEIGHBOUR: The turbines at Fullabrook Wind Farm are affecting people who live nearby. Picture: Mike Southon.
Within a month over 60 people filled out the survey.
The results confirmed television aerials and mobile phone signals have also been affected as well as people being disturbed by the effects of the turbines' flicker.
Mr Harvey said: "Through the survey we have been able to get a clearer picture of what the issues are for local residents.
"Whether it is a case of upgrading aerials on people's properties, or switching individual turbines off during certain wind conditions, I am hopeful we can find a way forward.
"ESB International, the company who developed the site, has been pro-active in responding to concerns I have raised in the past, and I am confident that they want to work alongside homeowners to find a way forward."
A spokesman from ESB said: "Over the duration of the construction of the wind farm we have worked to ensure any concerns or problems raised by local residents were looked into and – where possible and appropriate – addressed.
"We have engaged a specialist contractor to investigate and resolve any issues with TV reception and this TV remediation is well underway. We have also engaged a noise specialist to undertake some interim noise measurements, which is also currently underway.
"This noise monitoring is separate from the formal monitoring, to be overseen by North Devon Council, which will ensure we are compliant with the stringent conditions set out in the planning consent
"We recently provided Nick Harvey's office with a full briefing on most of the issues people have raised in his survey, explaining the steps we were already undertaking to meet with those residents."
Any further concerns that arise should be directed to ESB by e-mailing them at enquiries@ devonwindpower.co.uk or by calling 0800 169 6507.
The survey is still operational and can be filled out by visiting www.nickharveymp.org/ fullabrook
5 Comments
by TOMY11
Saturday, November 19 2011, 2:14PM
“The wind farmers keep going on about how wind is a 'free' resource. Why is it the most expensive form of electricity generation then? Greedy sods.”
by RealEnergy
Saturday, November 19 2011, 1:26PM
“This is no surprise to those who have been following the wind farm madness...
There are noise issues around all Devon and North Cornwall wind farms and the number of turbines at Fullabrook would have exacerbated the issues...
Nobody should have to suffer for this so-called 'green agenda'... Trickles of expensive electricity, requiring back-up from other power stations, will not benefit the residents, wildlife, landscape or British Industry.
What a con!!!”
by Lillabeth
Friday, November 18 2011, 8:27PM
“Yet still we continue to allow these monstrosities to proliferate throughout North Devon and Torridge. Bradworthy will soon become the next Fullabrook. 3 already operating, 4 approved and 6 more in the planning process alongside the numerous singles. The pattern will be repeated as long as the renewables industry have large subsidies of our money to build these things. Please write to your MP (Geoffrey Cox for Torridge) and object to these monstrous carbuncles.”
by ClintEast
Friday, November 18 2011, 1:25PM
“"This noise monitoring is separate from the formal monitoring, to be overseen by North Devon Council, which will ensure we are compliant with the stringent conditions set out in the planning consent
nonsense the conditions are not strict at all - that's why there is this problem - why don't windfarm companies just admit etsu is flawed.
even if the conditions are met and the noise continues the council IS OBLIGED to do something about it.
see attached - http://tinyurl.com/6gswdf9
http://tinyurl.com/6vp9x4l
it is clear - compl;iance with planning is not a defence against nuisance -”
by ClintEast
Friday, November 18 2011, 1:21PM
“just shows how inadequate the environmental survey is - in fact it isn't really an environmental survey - more like a cash generation feasibilty project.”