Fury over plans for windfarm

PLANS have been revealed today for another possible windfarm on the hills near Barnsley.

Details of the "scoping exercise" which is carried out before a planning application is submitted, have been greeted with dismay by villagers already fighting two more proposed windfarm schemes in the same area.

The latest development could lead to another six turbines, each 300ft high, on what would be called Spicer Hill Windfarm - right next to the existing 13 turbine Royd Moor windfarm above Penistone.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Renewable energy consultants Glasgow-based Arcus are carrying out the exercise, which involves consultation with planning officials before an application is submitted, for local farmer Jeff Pears who owns the Bella Vista Farm and processing plant near Langsett.

It is understood Spicer Hill windfarm would consist of three turbines in front of the existing Royd Moor windfarm with another three immediately behind it.

Environmental campaigner and parish councillor Alan Pestell said: "I personally don't think some people will be happy until the entire countryside is covered by turbines.

"Just how much more do these developers believe the landscape can take? How many more battles do we have to fight to try to protect our countryside?"

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rural residents unsuccessfully opposed a scheme which has been given the go-ahead by Barnsley planners for three 320ft turbines at nearby Crow Edge.

Plans are expected to be submitted soon by energy company E.On for three more turbines - each 120ft high - at nearby Blackstone Edge, close to Royd Moor. And Breeze Renewable Energy Limited are considering applying for planning permission to erect three turbines - each 410ft high - at Sheep House Heights by the side of the Stocksbridge Bypass near Midhopestones.

Alan Pestell said: "We warned when we opposed the first application that once companies get a foothold in an area more and more applications for windfarms would follow and sadly, as this latest news proves, we were right."

Barnsley Council planners approved the three turbines at Crow Edge despite almost 500 letters of objection. They admitted the turbines would be visible for miles around including from the nearby Peak Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier plans for turbines on the site were turned down by planners and a government inspector as unsuitable because of their impact on the landscape.

But officials now say attitudes to renewable energy projects have changed.