The Issues

"wind turbines should not be built within 1.5 miles of people's homes. Let it be understood, however, that there will still be health and quality of life problems caused by wind turbines beyond this radius".
Dr Nina Pierpont, Medical Doctor and Researcher on the health risks posed by wind farms

Wind farms are an expensive way of generating sustainable energy according to a study from Germany, the world's leading producer of energy. The report which may have ramifications for the UK's rapidly growing wind farm industry, concludes that instead of spending billions on building new wind turbines, the emphasis should be on making houses more energy efficient".
Luke Harding, Journalist

"Wind energy is not green: it destroys the landscapes; it chops up birds; it chops up bats".
Professor David Bellamy, Television Botanist

Energy Efficient Electricity Generation?-
The Woodford Scheme would not be commercially viable without substantial grant aid from the EU. Whether the scheme is energy efficient or not the developers will still receive huge grants from the EU and the council will be able to claim it has met its sustainable energy targets.
Alternatives -
Unless a particular scheme is properly justified - the grants to finance it should be directed to more cost effective sustainable energy alternatives.
Profit for Landowners & Developers -
Landowners and Developers are entitled to develop their land and and maximise their profits - but not to the massive detriment of others unless there is a greater benefit to the wider community..
Meteorological masts for testing -
The Wind Farm Companies claim to be assessing the viability of a wind scheme by testing the wind conditions using a weather mast. However, the viability of the scheme to the developers is already assured due to EU subsidy and a poor location has little or no influence on the outcome. Although a 36 month test period may be proposed it is common for development to be accelerated precisely because in reality, the outcome of the tests does not affect the decision to go ahead.
Planning -
The benefit to the wider community must outweigh the impact on local homes.The project must be proved to be environmentally sound for it to pass this test.
Unfortunately Planning Committees are under pressure to meet EU driven targets which do not distinguish between environmentally sound projects and those which are not. All too often 400ft wind turbines are passed by planning to be located on green land, where a new homebuild would never be allowed.
Visual Pollution -
Have you considered the real impact of how the landscape will look with a series of wind turbines on the skyline - each of them larger than the Statue of Liberty ?
Noise Pollution -
Each turbine emits a sound equivalent to that of a large motorcycle (105 decibels). This is compounded by however turbines are in place each running 24 hours night and day - 365 days a year! Apart from the turbine noise particular wind conditions create harmonics which cause houses to resonate.
Light Pollution -
At night the towers flash to warn aircraft.
Sleep Disruption-
A real problem with residents in areas with wind turbines.
House prices-
Values of local property will be significantly impacted. Would you buy a house near to a commercial wind farm? The reduction in value of local house prices will far outweigh the income stream to the Landowners.
Radio Interference-
Wind Turbines cause problems with Radio, Television and Mobile Phones due to the large Electro Magnetic Fields around the generators.
Wildlife & Flora-
Birds (particularly birds of prey) are occasionally killed by blades and wildlife is frightened away. These are just a few of the detrimental effects of a battery of 300 ft diameter blades rotating 365 days a year day and night..
EMF and Aircraft Navigation
ElectroMagnetic Force causes havoc with compasses and electronic equipment and poses a threat to aircraft which navigate using the Navigation Beacon on the water tower. Landing at Red House Farm is threatened.
Strobe Effect-
Sun behind rotating blades generates a strobe effect. There is some medical evidence to suggest that this can cause dizziness, headaches, disorientation and trigger seizures and migraines.
Construction Traffic-
In order to build these turbines the surrounding road network will be used by heavy vehicles causing delays and major disruption around the area.