Our local Friends of the Earth group are supporting the Bankfields windfarm as a good project and hope it will be given planning permission subject to addressing consultee concerns. Banks Renewables have a lot of experience of windfarms, energy & construction projects. They should be expert in minimising noise, dust, disruption and getting the project to run smoothly.
Noise should not be a problem in operation or construction. HGV traffic will come from the A19/A174 or Teesport and down Wilton Lane.
The farms that are in the 700-900m zone are benefiting from the scheme and are being compensated. The Mount Pleasant row of terrace houses is over 1km away from the scheme. It has been agreed that the scheme will provide up to £5000 per house for energy efficiency or renewable measures and as I believe that Mount Pleasant is off the gas mains this will be a major plus for them.
A third of project costs will be spent in the NE. This is one of the first projects in the UK where the x5 towers will be manufactured locally. Up to 14 apprenticeships will be created and £2m go to a community fund. New provision is to be made for wildflower meadows, bat habitat and nature ponds.
Over a large part of Guisborough the scheme cannot be seen due to buildings and where partially visible are not prominent. It will not affect tourism, house prices or hypnotise drivers!
https://planning.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/(S(rjnrlhrb3vm3q0medh0z4byj))/welcome.aspx
The Application R/2013/0674/FFM can be commented on till the end of the week
Rob Tucker
Co-ordinator Mbro & Redcar
Friends of the Earth
