SINGLE WIND TURBINE APPEAL.

The 61 metre wind turbine that was rejected by the development Control committee at Shepway District Council and subsequently appealed has now been approved the inspectorate. For those of you are not familiar with the application, the applicant is Windberry Operations. The turbine will be erected on Mr. Richard Price's land. More details will follow very soon. For those residents wishing to comment on this approval please email: sellindgeresidents@gmail.com

61 Metre Turbine Appeal.

URGENT.

61 Metre Turbine Appeal.

On the 11th December 2012, Shepway Development Control Committee
debated the Single turbine application proposed by Windberry
Operations on Farmer Price's land. The whole committee had no
hesitation in throwing it out. Windberry Operations have now appealed
against the SDC decision. You now have the chance to make further
comments but please be brief, to the point and should be made
before midnight, 4th March, 2013.

Important points to be made should be : The turbine impacts AONB
landscape, both viewing from AONB and into (as backdrop) AONB land.
All members of the Development Control Committee opposed the
application with one Councillor citing Mrs Justice Laing's comments
that 'Wind turbines shouldn't take precedence over natural beauty'.
Comments made should be 'material planning considerations'.

Please go to the planning portal website:
http.//www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/ViewCase.asp

The link should work, but if not, put in: www.planningportal.gov.uk
and then follow it through to "search for cases", then put in the
search box the reference 2191109. At the bottom of the page is the
link for making comments. Away you go.

All the best.

Les Barratt, Co Chairman. Sellindge & District Residents Association.

Act Now to Prevent the Proposed Harringe Brooks Wind Farm

Dear Residents,

Many of you will now have started to become aware of the recent application by Ecotricity for 6 industrial scale Wind Turbines visibly located amongst our homes and villages on a site at Harringe Brooks. This is in addition to an additional seventh Wind Turbine application that has already been submitted by Mr Price directly behind the homes at Barrow Hill. If successful, their impact on this area will be devastating and there can be little doubt that they will pave the way for further industrial processes to follow. Although the Sellindge and District Residents Association is not against renewable energy in situations where it brings clear benefits to communities, we do maintain that such applications must be done in a sensitive and considered way in full consultation with the local communities they will impact. These applications have clearly not been done in such a manner and therefore it has become necessary for a new Action Group to become established combining all of the local communities.

The new action group, SALVATION: Sellindge, Aldington, Lympne Villagers Against Turbines In Our Neighbourhood, will operate as a special part of the Sellindge Residents Association and will seek to combine the efforts of residents across Sellindge, Lympne, Aldington and numerous other villages and individuals from across the impacted area.

Many of you will have questions around the application itself and the impact it will have, along with how to prevent it from happening. You can find a great deal of this information on our website, where we have now set up a new Section under the heading: Harringe Brooks Wind Turbine Action Group - see Coloured Section 2 in the right-hand column). This also provides a link directly to the Shepway Planning site that has further details of the actual Wind Farm application, ref Y12/0451/SH. 

For those residents without email access, we will coordinate with those distributing the leaflets to get their telephone numbers, so that we can follow up with a call or visit as preferred to assist with the preparation and posting of any letters they wish to send to Shepway Planning.

Despite having had 2 years to prepare their application, the official closing date for our objections is 30th June, giving us very little time indeed and so we must act now! To emphasise the urgency of this campaign, we now have an email address at act4salvation@gmail.com that can be used for any comments, suggestions, queries or offers of support.

I have asked Tony Bosley to Chair this campaign on behalf of the Sellindge Residents Association in order to bring the villages of the area together in a combined and distinct Action Group. Please give him all of the support you can.

We are shortly arranging for leaflets / posters to be finalised and distributed, both in hard copy and via the internet for home printing to share the burden and cost. We will need to co-ordinate this in order to make sure all areas are covered, so please let us know via reply to our gmail address above if you can assist with this in any way - however small. Our first major challenge is to make everyone aware of what is being planned in scale and the impact it will have on us all. Many are aware of the environmental issues, but are many aware of the significant negative impact this will have on house prices in our area?

We do have a great deal of support already, including from our local MP – Damian Collins and hopefully from many of the local Parish Councils across the area, so we are already off to a great start, but need as many as possible to object by letter or by email on the Shepway planning website. Do look at our website for guidance on how to object, as it must be done in a particular way for your vote to count. However, objecting is simple and the more objections we can get registered, the better our chances will be. Do spread the word to neighbours and friends and if you can think of anything else we may have missed or can offer additional support in whatever form, please just let us know. We will continue to update everyone via emails and the website going forward on a regular basis, so if you don't wish to be included on these, or wish for others to be added, please just let us know at act4salvation@gmail.com.

We can win this fight to protect what we have and as local communities together, we will!

Kindest Regards

Ronald Lello - Chairman - Sellindge and District Residents Association

Somerfield Court Farm - Wind Turbine Planning Application - URGENT - Comments by Sunday 22/04/12

Comments need to be in by Sunday 22nd April 2012 for the Wind Turbine Application at Sommerfield Court Farm. Please take a few minutes to make your comments now before it is too late.

Click on the link below (which opens a new tab) to make your Comment on-line for this Planning Application directly to Shepway District Council via their website:

http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.do?action=dispatch&keyVal=M0K49UNZ2Z000&caseType=Application

Here is some information to remember whilst making your comments (click on the image to make larger and the back-arrow in the top left to return to here):

Somerfield Court Wind Turbine Appeal

An appeal has been made against the decision by Shepway District Council of the Somerfield Wind Turbine Planning Application Y12/0241/SH. 

The appelent's grounds of appeal and the Council's statement can be seen at the Civic Centre. or on the Council's website www.ukplanning.com/shepway    

Shepway District Council sent a letter out containing the following main points:
_______________________________________________________________

Application No.                   Y12/0241/SH 
Appeal                               Mr B Ingham
PINS Reference                  APP/L2250/A/13/2191109/NWF
Application reference:          Y12/0241/SH   

If you made representations on the original proposal, these will be forwarded to the inspectorate and the Appellant along with the Council's statement, unless they were submitted in confidence, and will be taken into account by the inspector when determining the appeal. 

If you have additional views which you wish to have taken into account please write direct with three copies of any correspondence to:

The Planning Inspectorate
Room 3/15, 
Temple Quay House
2 The Square 
Temple Quay
Bristol. 
BS1 6PN 

or to pcs@pins.gsi.gov.uk quoting the PINS reference number by 4th March 2013. 

Please note that copies of any letters submitted will be sent to the appellant and the District Council. 

The Planning Inspectorate will not acknowledge your letter unless you specifically ask them to do so. They will, however, ensure that your letter is passed on to the Inspector dealing with the appeal. Please ensure any representations which you make on this appeal are received by the planning Inspectorate by 4th March 2013 otherwise there is a risk that your representations will not be considered.

The Planning Inspectorate will send you a copy of the decision letter to you provided you specifically ask for one.
 _______________________________________________________________

Please click on the link below to read further information regarding this appeal:

Somerfield Court Wind Turbine Appeal

Safety fears grow after 80ft wind turbine collapses in gale.

The article below was published on 31st January 2013 in the Daily TelegraphTo read the article more easily (enlarge the print) click on the image below. Once finished, click on the back-arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual. Use the 'Home' page link in Section 1 to return to the start if you prefer. 

Claims in wind farm ad were 'misleading'

The article below was published in the Folkestone herald on 7th February 2012. To read the article more easily (enlarge the print) click on the image below. Once finished, click on the back-arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual. Use the 'Home' page link in Section 1 to return to the start if you prefer.

Wind turbine bid is thrown out by district Council

The article below was published on 20th December 2012 in the Folkestone Herald. To read the article (enlarge the print) click on the image below. 

Once finished, click on the back-arrow at the top left of the screen to return to the website and then navigate your way around as usual. Use the 'Home' page link in Section 1 to return to the start if you prefer. 

Message of thanks to the Councillors from Anthony Bosley - Chairman SALVATION

Subject: Planning Application Notification: Y12/0241/SH - Land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Barrow Hill

Dear Councillors,

I wanted to write you a brief note of thanks following the formal notification of the rejection of this planning application that arrived yesterday. On behalf of the local residents who were present at the planning meeting and the many others who were unable to be there on the day, we wanted to thank each and everyone of you for your support in helping to protect what we believe is a truly unique and beautiful place to live.

Many villagers had feared the worst and yet the clear amount of effort in researching this proposal on our behalf, displayed at the meeting, combined with the unanimous nature of its rejection, has truly heartened everyone. 'Our voices were heard and represented'!

We are aware that future events may present themselves next year, but for 2012 I know that you all will be the toast of many homes in the villages around this area.

On behalf of us all, I would like to thank you once more and to wish you and your families a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Kind regards,

Anthony Bosley

Chairman - SALVATION

Shepway Decision re Barrow Hill Wind Turbine Application

Click on the link below to see a copy of an electronic letter received from Shepway stating the decision reached regarding Planning Application Y12/0241/SH - Wind Turbine on Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

Shepway Decision - Planning Application Notification: Y12/0241/SH - Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Barrow Hill

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal.

Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected

Click on the link below to read the document entitled 'Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected' ...

Barrow Hill Turbine Rejected 

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal. 

Additional information received re Single Wind Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm Planning Application

Application Number Y12/0241/SH

                   

1st November 2012

 The additional information referred to below, as well as all the original documents, can be found directly bu clicking on the following link, which will open in a new tab:

http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/0241/SH&action=Search 

Once finished, return to the original tab and navigate the site as normal.
________________________________________________________________

Proposal	Erection of a single wind turbine measuring 44.28m to hub height and a maximum of 61m to blade tip height, together with construction of an access track, a crane pad and an equipment housing cabinet.
Location	Land Adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill, Sellindge, Kent

Additional information has now been received in respect of the above application and a copy is available for inspection at the following:

 ·       The Civic Centre, Folkestone, 8.30 am - 5.00 pm weekdays, except Wednesday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm.

·              Online at http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/.  Please allow up to five working days from the date of this letter for the details to be available.

The additional information is as follows:

  1.   Landscape and visual impact assessment review.

  Should you wish to make any further comments I would be pleased to receive them, in writing, to the address below, by email to planning@shepway.gov.uk or online at http://searchplanapps.shepway.gov.uk/online-applications/ by the 22nd November 2012.  Please note that whichever method you choose, your name will appear on our website.  Any anonymous comments cannot be taken into consideration.

 Please note that however your comments are submitted, the Council is obliged to make any letters/emails of representation on planning related applications available to the public, and these can be viewed by visiting the Civic Centre. 

 Yours sincerely

    

Job Done on Wind Farms says John Hayes

Job Done on Wind Farms says John Hayes.... click on the link below to read more  (it will open in a new tab)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9676256/Job-done-on-wind-farms-says-John-Hayes.html

Once finished reading, return to the original tab and navigate the website as normal.

Wind Farms by Andrew Gilligan in the Sunday Telegraph 4th November 2012

From: Martin de Wolf
Sent: 04 November 2012 11:55
Subject: Wind Farms by Andrew Gilligan in the Sunday Telegraph 4th November 2012

 The following copied from The Sunday Telegraph today......

 It would appear that the guidelines laid down 16 years ago for how close wind farms can be to human habitation were based on a ""small" wind turbine, which today is nothing like the case.

 In my opinion, based  on this article, Shepway District Council should not permit on Health grounds any giant turbine closer than at least two miles from a building..... Let alone any other considerations..... The key sentence is

 "Dr Lee Moroney, director of planning at the Renewable Energy Foundation, said: “The UK noise limits were drawn up 16 years ago, when wind turbines were less than half the current size"

Regards

========================================================================

ENVIRONMENT

Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists

Study warns of ‘clear and significant dangers’ as EU demands more renewables, writes Andrew Gilligan

WIND farm noise causes “clear and significant” damage to people’s sleep and mental health, according to the first full peer-reviewed scientific study of the problem.

American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a wind farm and the second group did not.

Both sets of people were demographically and socially similar, but the researchers found major differences in the quality of sleep the two groups enjoyed.

The findings provide the clearest evidence yet to support long-standing complaints from people living near turbines that the sound from their rotating blades disrupts sleep patterns and causes stress-related conditions.

The study will be used by critics of wind power to argue against new turbines being built near homes and for existing ones to be switched off or have their speed reduced, when strong winds cause their noise to increase.

The researchers used two standard scientific scales, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, which measures the quality of night-time sleep, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which measures how sleepy people feel when they are awake.

“Participants living near industrial wind turbines had worse sleep, as evidenced by significantly greater mean PSQI and ESS scores," the researchers, Michael Nissenbaum, Jeffery Aramini and Chris Hanning, found.

“There were clear and significant dose-response relationships, with the effect diminishing with increasing log-distance from turbines."

The researchers also tracked respondents’ “mental component scores” and found a “significant” link – probably caused by poor-quality sleep – between wind turbines and poorer mental health.

More than a quarter of participants in the group living near the turbines said they had been medically diagnosed with depression or anxiety since the wind farm started. None of the participants in the group further away reported such problems.

Each person was also asked if they had been prescribed sleeping pills. More than a quarter of those living near the wind farm said they had. Less than a tenth of those living further away had been prescribed sleeping pills.

According to the researchers, the study, in the journal Noise and Health, is the first to show clear relationships between wind farms and “important clinical indicators of health, including sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and mental health”.

Unlike some common forms of sleep-disturbing noise, such as roads, wind turbine noise varies dramatically, depending on the wind direction and speed. Unlike other forms of variable noise, however, such as railways and aircraft, it can continue for very long periods at a time. The nature of the noise – a rhythmic beating or swooshing of the blades – is also disturbing. UK planning guidance allows a night-time noise level from wind farms of 42 decibels – equivalent to the hum made by a fridge.

This means that turbines cannot be built less than 380-550 yards from human habitation, with the exact distance depending on the terrain and the size of the turbines.

However, as local concern about wind farm noise grows, many councils are now drawing up far wider cordons. Wiltshire, for instance, has recently voted to adopt minimum distances of between 0.6 to 1.8 miles, depending on the size of the turbines.

Dr Lee Moroney, director of planning at the Renewable Energy Foundation, said: “The UK noise limits were drawn up 16 years ago, when wind turbines were less than half the current size. Worse still, the guidelines permit turbines to be built so close to houses that wind turbine noise will not infrequently be clearly audible indoors at night time, so sleep impacts and associated health effects are almost inevitable.

“This situation is obviously unacceptable and creating a lot of angry neighbours, but the industry and government response is slow and very reluctant. Ministers need to light a fire under their civil servants."

The research will add to the growing pressure on the wind farm industry, which was attacked last week by the junior energy minister, John Hayes, for the way in which turbines have been “peppered around the country without due regard for the interests of the local community or their wishes”. Saying “enough is enough”, Mr Hayes appeared to support a moratorium on new developments beyond those already in the pipeline.

He was slapped down by his Lib Dem boss, Ed Davey, the Energy Secretary, but is unlikely to have made his remarks without some kind of nod from the top of Government. George Osborne, the Chancellor, is known to be increasingly sceptical about the effectiveness of wind power, which is heavily subsidised but delivers relatively little reduction in carbon dioxide.

Wind farms generate about a quarter of their theoretical capacity because the wind does not always blow at the required speeds. Earlier this year, more than 100 Tory MPs urged David Cameron to block the further expansion of wind power.

Whatever the Government decides, however, may not matter.

The Telegraph has learnt that the EU will shortly begin work on a new directive which may impose a binding target for further renewable energy, mostly wind, on the UK. There is already a target, which is also Government policy, that 20 per cent of energy should come from renewables by 2020.

But Brussels is considering imposing an even higher mandatory target to be met over the following decade, according to Gunther Oettinger, the EU energy commissioner. “I want an interesting discussion on binding targets for renewables by 2030," he said earlier this year.

Two weeks ago, a senior member of his staff, Jasmin Battista, said that Mr Oettinger was “open to” forced targets, though no decision had been made.

The European Parliament has voted for mandatory increases in renewables by 2030 and Mr Davey has also said he favours them. The issue will be considered at a European Council of Ministers meeting next month.

Wind Turbines - Ice build up on the turbine blade mitigation measures

  From: "Leader@shepway.gov.uk" <Leader@shepway.gov.uk>
To: mavis.turton
Sent: Wednesday, 7 November 2012, 14:19
Subject: RE: Wind turbines

 Dear Ms Turton

I have been in contact with the case officer handling the application and have been informed that the issue of ice build up on the turbine blades has been considered within the accompanying Environmental Statement (see attached link, Chapter 13 paragraph 13.5). Mitigation measures are suggested in the form of vibration sensors fitted to the turbines which would detect any inbalance in the blades and which would result in the turbines being shut down.

 http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/findCaseFile.do?councilName=Shepway+District+Council&appNumber=Y12/0451/SH&action=Search

 It would appear that a solution to address your concerns has been considered within the application details. The matter you raise regarding the incident in Lammermuir Hills has been passed to the case officer for information.

 Yours sincerely

Cllr Robert Bliss
Leader of the Council
Shepway District Council, Civic Centre

From: Mavis Turton
Sent: 19 October 2012 13:17
To: Bliss, Robert Cllr
Subject: Wind turbines

Dear Mr Bliss, we have friends who live in West Lothian, Scotland.  They tell me that there are wind turbines in East Lothian, in the Lammermuir Hills.  They say that a man was killed when he was hit by ice, which was thrown off the turbine blades during cold weather. Notwithstanding the danger to people, there is a distinct danger of damage to property when the turbines are so near residential buildings.  The proposed turbines in our area seem to be sited at an unacceptable distance from peoples homes, and considering their position on the edge of the Romney Marsh, a very damp position, I would think that the turbine blades could become iced up, and would cause problems.  I have tried to contact the East Lothian Courier newspaper, which I believe serves the area, but I am having trouble doing this.  Perhaps you would be more successful.  It is quite important I would think, to find out exactly what happened in the Lammermuir Hills. Kind regards, Mavis Turton

Hearing by Shepway re Single Wind Turbine at Somerfield Court farm, Barrow Hill

The Decision by Shepway Planners whether to approve the first single turbine at Sellindge on the land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill, will be made on Tuesday 11th December. Please look at the 4 articles immediately below for further detailed information:

1) Flyer - 11th Dec is D-Day
2) Document being presented to members of Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group
3) Officer's Report for Single Wind Turbine - Somerfield Court Farm
4) Somerfield Court Farm Wind Turbine Application - to be heard before Shepway Councillors Tuesday 11th December  

Single Wind Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill - Document being presented to members of Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group

Click on the link below (which will open in a new tab) to read a document being presented to members of the Shepway Planning Control Committee by the SALVATION Action Group:

local views - Impact of Single Turbine on land adjoining Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

Somerfiled Court Farm Wind Turbine Application - to be heard before Shepway Councillors on Tuesday 11th December

Dear Friends and Residents of Sellindge,
 

URGENT, URGENT, URGENT.

Most of you are aware that farmer Mr. Price has applied to Shepway Council to erect a 61 metre wind turbine on land in the village.

This turbine is almost THREE TIMES the height of Sellindge Church. It’s output is much greater than needed for domestic purposes.

Village property values will be reduced and the landscape drastically scarred. Once one turbine is approved then almost certainly more will follow.

The money the landowners and energy companies make from turbines will be paid by charging us extra on our electricity bills. We pay their subsidies.

The application will be heard before Shepway Councillors on Tuesday 11^th December at 7.00 pm at the Civic Centre, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone.

If you oppose this application, please come along and show Councillors that you care about our Community.

Remember, if this application is approved, it is highly probable that more will follow, including the 6 turbines already planned by Ecotricity that will be125 metres high.

 

DON’T LEAVE IT TO OTHERS – PLEASE BE THERE!!

Officer's Report for the Single Turbine Y12/0241/SH - Somerfiled Court Farm, Barrow Hill

Click on the link below (which will open in a new tab) to read the

'Officer's Report for the Single Turbine Planning Application ref. Y12/0241/SH on Land Adjoining Somerfiled Court Farm, Barrow Hill, Sellindge - Erection of a single wind turbine, togehter with construction of an access track, a crane, a crane pad and an equipment housing cabinet':

Officer's Report for Single Turbine Y12/0241/SH at Somerfield Court Farm, Barrow Hill

11th Dec is D-Day - Single Wind Turbine

Click on the link 11th Dec is D-Day (opens in a new tab) to see the recently distributed flyer