Wind Turbines – minimum distances from residential premises-bill This is the bill which has now had it’s “Second Reading” in the House of Lords and sets a minimum setback distance of 2km for a turbine of 120m. This is at a very early stage, which is reflected in the brief content of the bill itself. None-the-less, this clearly demonstrates that there is genuine and real concern about the effects of wind turbines sited too close to populated areas. The presentation of this bill forces the question:
The legislation proposes, if the height of the wind turbine generator is— (measured from the ground to the end of the blade tip at its highest point.)
(a) greater than 25m, but does not exceed 50m, the minimum distance requirement is 1000m;
(b) greater than 50m, but does not exceed 100m, the minimum distance requirement is 1500m;
(c) greater than 100m, but does not exceed 150m, the minimum distance requirement is 2000m;
A similar bill Onshore Wind Turbines (Proximity of Habitation) Bill 2010-11 is winding its way through the House of Commons, with the next reading expected JAnuary 2012
Why – simply put healths concerns and masses of law suits in various countries. It appears it is not just the audible noise and visual impacts that effects people but also infrasound (frequency less than 20 Hz).
Many countries have already acted on concerns and introduced appropriate legislation – similar to that proposed in the rest of the UK.
In Scotland, Scottish planning guidance contains an advisory, rather than mandatory, limit of two kilometres, although the Scottish border Council has a presumption against any turbine within 2 KM of a residential property. In Wales there is a “typical seperation distance” of 500m – although Carmarthanshire County Council will not permit wind farms within 1500m of a residential dwelling. ( The 500m separation distance is intended to assist local planning authorities refine the boundaries of the Strategic Search Areas and not as a minimum separation distance for individual wind turbines. )
Proposed Scottish legislation goes further, in suggesting that two blade turbines be limited to industrial sitings, due to the faster sweep ( a 30m turbine (45m including blades), would have an area sweep of c 700m2)
Aberdeenshire Council Local Plan Infrastructure Policy states
“In order to protect residential amenity, wind energy developments should generally be not less than 400m from dwellings. The actual desirable separation distance will be dependent on a range of factors including topography, safety issues, noise, shadow flicker, shadow throw and the size of the turbines.
A separation distance of at least 10 rotor diameters between the wind turbines and nearby dwellings is required, in accordance with good practice identified in PAN 45 to minimise shadow flicker.”
Similarly Torridge district Council, in Devon, has made an extensive study and limits developments to within 600m, The full policy (with a summary page 6/7 ) can be found CHttpHandler
It is important to look at the Bill’s effects. The figure is that if there was an exclusion around dwellings of two kilometres, 0.5 per cent of the UK landmass would be able to take wind turbines. Effectively, we would end that industry completely
The revised Draft National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy Infrastructure (EN-3), which is currently before Parliament, says,
“appropriate distances should be maintained between wind turbines and residential properties to protect residential amenity”.
In the circumstances it would seem rather prudent to introduce more “targeted” planning guidance and we will be seeking to encourage a half way house -
A Presumption against development within 1 KM of a residential house
B minimum distance of 500m from a residential house
A copy of the bill can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldbills/017/11017.1-i.html
A copy of the second reading can be found here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/lords/?id=2011-06-10a.488.4&s=%22global+warming+policy+foundation%22
Small and groups of small turbines http://www.snh.gov.uk/docs/A516125.pdf
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/onshorewindturbinesproximityofhabitation.html
THE CURRENT DOUGLAS VALLEY GOLF COURSE APPLICATION, FOR TWO 45 m TURBINES, APPROXIMATELY 350m from BLACKROD VILLAGE CAN BE FOUND HERE
