A great number of concerns remain unanswered about the proposed devlopment.
A brief summary, of some of the concerns can be found Douglas Valley Golf Course BHEAG x
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The officer is recommending approval. Apparently ignoring the deficiencies in the noise report regarding the timing of data - which the officer tacitly agrees has ignored guidance, but will be revisted in the next week and the fact that the noise data appears at best unrealistic – in that the noise generated by the turbine appears to be 75% less than the manufacturer states !! The precise impact on the public footpath is unclear – other than to say it should be diverted. The proposed conditions seem to ignore guidance regarding end of life and the colour of the turbines. Almost bizarrely the officer seems to acknowledge that there is a risk of golf balls hitting the blades – either accidently or on purpose – the consequences of which should be considered after the event !! Residents have been confused at how the applicant for the turbines on Douglas Valley golf course, can refer to the turbines as small. How the turbines were originally appeared to be in the wrong scale on the photo montages. Now residents are bemused with the updated noise statement. Whilst updating the noise statement, the noise source has been reduced from c 104 dB to 97.1 dB. (as of 07/12/2011 the noise source has decreased further to 92dB) No explanation is given for this reduction of 75% Even the manufacturers own website seems to suggest the figure is wrong. No explanation is given why one of the turbines (the one closest to Nightingale Road) is missing or why the combined effect, which we estimate would add over 3dB is missing. The assesment also appears to avoid the noise generated if it gets windy, limiting it to 8m/s (about 2/3 of its top speed) For the “alternative” analysis of the noise generation see http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/111580_65.pdf Meanwhile Prince Phillip slams turbines as a “Fairytale” The UK currently has a total of 3,421 turbines, with 2,941 onshore and there are proposals in place by the Government to build a further 4,500
The decision was deferred Following the issue of the officer’s report, and the action groups’ subsequent letter (see below) Two consultee responses have appeared on the Bolton Planning website – which would appear to support some of the concerns raised in our letter. It is unclear, how, in posession of these documents (one dated October) the officer is able to conclude that there is an adequate EIA and recommend approval with the condition proposed. The documents can be found here. http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/105130_12.pdf http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/116719_29.pdf Here is our interpretation the the transports satement - with photographs . The following letter has been sent to the planning officer , concerning his report, published in the last few days. Vernon Kay is encouraging people, via Twitter, to join the RAGE protest outside Montcliffe Quarry, on Thursday 24 November 2011. One of the main concerns of the objectors will be the record number of HGVs which will be put on the roads around Horwich – with nothing stopping every single one going through the town centre of Horwich. Other concerns include the fact that plans exist to turn the quarry into a one million tonne per year recycling centre. The application is part of a large number of applications, at three contiguous sites, in rapid succession. So far four applications for the quarries have been considered -
The extension for Montcliffe will be considered Thursday 24 November, at 1pm, atBolton Town Hall Thanks Vernon http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/9382319.Vernon_spreads_word_on_protest_over_quarry/ Donations are still urgently required to fund the current Judicial Review. Please donate here Well what did you expect ? This is Bolton – promises are meant to be broken ! Lets just hope elected members have a different view. 360 HGV trips per day 440 HGV trips per day about to hit Horwich – can it cope – who knows ? http://www.democracy.bolton.gov.uk/CMISWebPublic/Binary.ashx?Document=15729 http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/126501_1.pdf A special planning meeting has been scheduled on Thursday, 24th November, 2011 at 1.00pm in Committee Room A, First Floor, Bolton Town Hall. This meeting will review the Montcliffe extension planning application only. Earlier the same day there is a visit to the Montcliffe Quarry site by the planning committee scheduled for 10.15am. Please donate towards the current Judicial Review
Following the successful community support in improving the local cemetery and the “big tree” on Station Road. The Action Group has the local rose garden in their sites. The first big tidy up will be tomorrow, hopefully followed by some winter planting in time for Remembrance Sunday. It is hoped that the group can raise enough funds to completely renovate the rose garden , and advice on planting and varieties has already been sought from some of Great Britain’s best and most passionate rose growers.
. . . . . . . . . The Judicial Review date has now been set for 14-16 December in Manchester Courts – more details will be available closer to the time. Statements need to be submitted by 14 November 2011. Public support would be greatly appreciated. We understand the current planning application for Montcliffe will be considered on Thursday 24th November , at Bolton Town Hall. This will be a site visit scheduled for 10.15 am the same day. These dates have now become some of the most important in the Horwich calendar – if you are able to attend – it would be very much appreciated. If you are unable to attend perhaps consider a £5 fine by pressing the donate button below
The outer tips of the turbine blades will travel at up to 246 miles per hour
The Highways agency consider the issue:- ‘Icing’ 9. A further factor that must be considered is the phenomenon of ice being thrown from the turbine blades (‘icing’). In certain meteorological conditions, significant accretionsof ice can build up on wind turbine blades. Surprisingly, moving blades are affected toa far greater extent than stationary blades.
10. Warming or fragmentation may then lead to ice being shed from the rotating blades. Large fragments may be thrown a considerable distance. 11. Again, this is a very rare event and the frequency of occurrence does decrease markedly with distance. Nevertheless, the consequences of an ice projectile hitting a moving vehicle could be severe. Not only would the occupants be at risk but a multivehicle accident could result. 12. Most modern wind turbines will have vibration and/or climate sensitive technology that will shut down the turbine if there is the potential for icing. Where this technology is present there should be no need to consider this issue further. Evidence of this technology on the proposed turbines should be provided. Quote of the day : “ “The Council and its partners will: Ensure Protected Open Land around Horwich and Blackrod remains undeveloped and will Ensure that new development does not harm the landscape setting and protects views from public areas to the surrounding landscape.
I have to wonder how much power generation will have to be carried out in this area before it is considered too much.”
Our best interpretation of the location of the turbines is given below. (Based on SD references and photograph montages) The height (including rotors ) is approximately the same as the Roscoe tower (to the left of the Millstone). The red dots have a diameter equivelant to approximately 30-40 m. Small is definately not a word you would honestly use to describe them. (The department for transport classes a small turbine as upto 50Kw) This would appear to contravene guidance http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/C245244.pdf
RAGE and the four local actions groups, inluding BHEAG have submitted a massive objection to the latest Montcliffe application – the objection can be found Objection to Montcliffe Extension xx The second judicial review is scheduled for December. Donations are still welcomed (and needed)
Note: the above photo has been corrected to a normal lens, rather than wide angle ” turbines will ‘compromise’ golf”http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/05/donald-trump-legal-fight-windfarm Closer to home, (http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/111580_6.pdf) may misrepresent the appearance of the 2 turbines. The location from where the photograph was taken is 149m ASL (above sea level) and the left turbine tip height is 157m ASL (the ground level appears to be 112m ASL). The extract below of the montage highlights Roscoe Lowe (Red box) which is 160m ASL. Therefore the top of the rotor will be in line with this feature.
http://www.planning.bolton.gov.uk/Documents/111580_17.pdf
If anyone does spot the balloon perhaps they can let us know (or is that the whole purpose – the agent wants residents to believe nobody is actually going to see the turbines ?) How very bizarre – almost unbelievable
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