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Turbines will be like five Blackpool Towers
SOUTH Yorkshire residents campaigning against plans to build a wind farm in their neighbourhood have compared the height of the turbines to Blackpool Tower.
The controversial wind farm is planned for Sheephouse Heights beside the Stocksbridge bypass near Midhopestones, overlooking Langsett Valley.
Developers Evelop UK Ltd want to build five of the largest on-shore wind turbines in the country on the site with structures 410ft tall.
But members of the Protect Sheephouse Heights Action Group set up an
exhibition outside St Andrew's Hall in Penistone, as developers were inside with their exhibition.
Campaigners say they are not convinced by the developers' facts and figures and wanted to give people an alternative exhibition.
Alan Hey from the action group said: "We set up the exhibition as we feel the developers are trying to have it all their own way.
"We have photos of the turbines by a measuring mast to show how tall they will be as we don't think the developers' displays truly represent how big the turbines will be.
"Penistone Church is 85ft tall, the turbines at Royd Moor are 175ft, these planned turbines would be 410ft and Blackpool Tower is 518ft."
Evelop UK Ltd says it has redesigned the images after receiving feedback on the designs submitted with the planning application last year.
It says the wind farm would generate enough electricity to power more than 9,000 homes and Sheephouse Heights was the best out of 16 locations as it was windy, close to the grid, and with good transport access.
Star readers are divided on the plans. On The Star's website 'Robotic' says: "Nothing wrong with wind turbines, however these gigantic monsters should be out at sea not spoiling the beauty of the Peak Park.
"Is it any wonder Angela Smith MP is against these being built, she knows the strength of feeling in the local area, they will be a blight on the countryside."
But 'dromedarys' says: "In most cases they enhance the view. The ones at Penistone attract visitors and don't make much noise compared to living near a main road.
"Those that complain are the same old 'nimbys' who don't care about the future of the children or planet but just their own selfish private
little world.
"Time the Government changed the rules about individuals objecting to wind farms on the grounds of altering the 'view' of the countryside. It's in everybody's future interest to build them and other forms of alternative energy."
What do you think? Add your comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Thursday 09 February 2012
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