I visited the information session yesterday and managed to speak to most, if not all, of the Vattenfall team.
There were various display boards erected around the room presenting information, together with detailed maps of the location. The team were on hand to answer individual questions in order to provide a better understanding of what might be involved with the project. There were also sheets of flipchart paper inviting initial thoughts, questions, comments etc. It was good to see people engaging with the display with numerous observations and comments having been recorded. Some clearly against the proposal, yet some positively for it, but many seeking more information.
Not all questions were able to be answered as it is so early in the consultation process. Yet, with the obvious commitment of Vattenfall towards 'community engagement' and the enthusiastic interest of local people, perhaps a collaborative approach will in time tease out sufficient information to make an informed decision on the pros and cons of the project.
I trust Vattenfall will seek to provide feedback from the information sessions in due course, so that local residents can see the various points that were raised... and perhaps have answers supplied where these are currently available. This will need to be an ongoing process to have any merit.
The only small criticism of the event was that Vattenfall representatives were not wearing some form of identification. It would be helpful if this were rectified for future meetings.
I have requested copies of the slides relating to the display boards, so that I can publish them here on the blog for those people who didn't manage to get to the sessions. My email has been left with one of the team for this purpose.
I contributed a number of comments to the flipcharts:
- Construction - my major concern is regarding the heavy construction traffic that will need to reach the site and the route it will take - what decisions have been made over the preferred options and what will be the impacts?
- Noise - it seems the last proper scientific research paper into low frequency noise arising from wind turbines was published in 2009 (according to the East Heckington Inspector's Report - if I have interpreted it correctly). As this related to older-type 100 metre high turbines, I do have concerns there isn't current scientific data available from noise surveys of the larger, more modern 150 metre high turbines. Perhaps a paper needs to be commissioned urgently on the possible impacts?
- Community funds - I questioned how the substantial monies would be shared and paid out to 'affected parties' (how would this be determined)... whom would this actually benefit and for what purpose? There must be some guarantee from the developers that community monies will actually be paid, rather than sit languishing in some trust fund never to see the light of day.
What was your experience/thoughts on the information session - you may wish to comment below?
Hi Geoff
ReplyDeleteRe your comments on the Vattenfall presentation on Thursday. I did try and drill down on a number of issues with the Vattenfall representative and yes name tags would of helped.
Couple of points I picked up for what its worth
Construction traffic
Each turbine mast will consist of nine main sections.
One main section will be delivered by a low loader truck. Assuming the farm (don't you just love that green sounding word) is approximately 69MW then I guess 27 turbines = 9 x 27 = 243 trips. I also assume by the size that they would be delivered outside of normal hours - middle of the night may well be in the traffic plan - traffic police would I guess have this call. I was told absolutely no decisions had been made over an initial option - over the bridge outside Nocton then immediately right.
Community funds - My understanding of this particular type of community funding is that the developer cannot guarantee any payment to the community. Guarantees are in the hands of Bees Wax and ultimately I guess Mr Dyson to decide what to contribute to a Community fund. All, something or nothing - a lot of money and up to them as owners. I expect this would, if all or something is agreed, be formalised by all Parish Councils before PINS and Secretary of State decision.
Cheers
Mick
Ps not very windy tonight
Thanks for the information Mick.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason your comment appeared under the 'Craft and Pamper Evening' blog entry. I've since relocated it to the Vattenfall Information Session entry, hence why it appears as 'Anonymous'. Hope you don't mind, but I think it better to keep the topics aligned.
Construction
Two routes were mentioned in the group I was with. One was the route you have highlighted, along the A15 then on to the B1188 and B1202, turning into the Munks Agricultural Contractors' access (where, if I heard correctly, a new road will be constructed through to the Fen). I think the other route being considered is the B1190 to the Branston Causeway (where a new access on to the wind farm site will be constructed).
Community Funds
I was under the impression there are normally two separate tranches of money available. The first is the 'community fund' from the developers. The second is money normally paid out to the landowners (which on this occasion Beeswax Farming have indicated they do not wish to profit from). As a result, it appears these extra monies will be donated to the 'community fund' too.
I'm sure all these aspects will become clear as the project progresses. It will also be interesting to hear from other visitors to the Information Sessions to see what they have been told. In my experience, often with any information dissemination and best intentions, it is like the game of Chinese whispers with many different interpretations!
Kind regards.
I have been to the open sessions at both Nocton and Dunston village halls this week, and engaged in conversations with the staff, in particular Graham Davey, the Development manager. What Geoff says about the potential income coming from two sources is absolutely correct, namely the Community Fund from Vattenfall and the money assigned to Beeswax Farming. The kind of monies involved will be very considerable, but Vattenhall are not trying to push this point at the moment. My own personal interest is how the wind farm would affect the birdlife, and the birds can't speak for themselves. This afternoon there were very large numbers of Golden Plover in fields just north of Bardney Pits, which at one point took off like a whirling cloud over Nocton Fen at several hundred feet in the air. It would be hard to see how such a densely packed flock of birds could totally avoid rotating wind turbine blades.
ReplyDeleteI have told Mr.Davey that I am in the anti-wind farm camp, but this does not mean I can't have a meaningful conversation with Vattenfall.
From what I was told there have been people both for and against the wind farm at the sessions.
I do feel for the residents of Wasp's Nest because they are the ones who would be most adversely affected by a wind farm. In that sense I feel it right that the local community should offer their support to them.
It would be good if more people could state their position on this blog, either for or against the wind farm.
Richard Abraham
Hi Richard and thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteAs with any potential controversial project, I believe the only way forward is for meaningful dialogue between all parties. It is also imperative for people to attend the Vattenfall information sessions and meet with their representatives in order to gain a better understanding of the project.
As regards the blog, I too feel it can play its part... not because of any personal involvement... but just because it can be a useful central forum for debate, as was amply demonstrated during the Nocton Dairies fiasco.
It would be interesting to know the views of the RSPB on potential risk from wind turbine blades. In particular whether any research papers have been published on this matter.
Kind regards.
So far as I am aware the RSPB have already been contacted by Vattenfall about the proposed wind farm. What their position would be on the Nocton wind farm I do not know. However there have been cases where the RSPB have strongly opposed a wind farm development because of the risks to birds at a particular site eg. where there are large birds of prey, like Golden Eagles in the area. There have also been and are cases where the RSPB will support a wind farm development.
ReplyDeleteWith regard to papers and studies regarding birds colliding with wind turbines you can find lots of information on the internet, for example by googling "bird collisions on wind farms". If you type in "images of bird collisions on wind farms" you will pictures of birds that have been killed.
Hope this may help.
Richard Abraham
I do not live in Nocton but am on the verge of buying a property in the village - fell in love with it the first time I drove in late one afternoon. I now have grave reservations, for obvious reasons. These new generation monster turbines stand just short of 500 feet high and would be seen from 20 miles away, never mind just in the village. Am also concerned about the noise from more than 20 turbines and from construction traffic. Do you have any information about the infrastructure for circulating the electricity generated - pylons for example. An aesthetic combination of turbines and pylons in a beautiful place like Nocton would be unbearable!
ReplyDeleteThere is a good article in the Telegraph (December 4th 2010), just google in New generation of giant wind turbines and it will take you there. Also interesting website called Windbyte.co.uk
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments (it would be appreciated if you could leave some identity in future e.g. a first name would suffice, so I can address you properly as a matter of courtesy).
It is regrettable, but totally understandable why you are now questioning your decision to move to Nocton. I live in hope that proper consultation by Vattenfall will mitigate many of the negative aspects, or otherwise provide information to educate on some of the long term implications. That said it is important to examine and validate any information, from whatever the source. As one of my previous readers has commented, sometimes relying on opinions and views scattered around the internet (which is full of unresearched "facts") is rather dangerous.
To answer your question specifically, I believe there is a high voltage supply that crosses Nocton Heath, Dunston Heath and Metheringham Heath. I seem to recall the Vattenfall representative identifying this as a likely connection for the wind farm (which would avoid an expensive sub-station). It has not been decided whether this would be an overground or underground link... this would to some extent depend on the strength of community feedback and cost involved, compared to the other link-up options. I totally support you on not wanting high pylons and overhead cables strung across the Nocton Estate farmland - it would be a complete and unnecessary eyesore.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do on the property front.
Kind regards.
A Government report will be looking at issues surrounding property prices near to wind farms.
ReplyDeletewww.telegraph.co.uk/Earth/Energy/Wind Power
22 Aug 2013
Worth a read. I understand the poster above worried about buying in Nocton. If true an ACTUAL example if you needed one. The fors may not worry about property blight happening but would you take a chance and buy or simply move on and buy in another tranquil village further. it will be Interesting to see how property in our village moves now we have this hanging over us all for the next two, three or four year. Certainly sympathetic for Wasps nest, Fen properties, Potterhanworth Booths, Bardney (in your face) and many other outlining properties and villages. It will be interesting to see how many local properties actually sell now, if at all. Vattenfall money to the villages is the carrot. We need to support all our surrounding villagers whos homes will be blighted by a massive monstrosity.
Thank you for your comments.
ReplyDeleteProperty transactions may indeed be affected by the recent proposals for a wind farm on Nocton Fen. Only time will tell I suppose. I think these are the links on house blight to which you refer:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/10260729/Secret-wind-farm-report-into-house-price-blight.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/houseprices/10415963/Wind-farms-knock-eight-per-cent-off-average-home-value-property-experts-reveal.html
It was mentioned during the Vattenfall Information Session that the location for the turbines will be restricted to the centre of the site. This is to try and maintain a 1km buffer zone between any turbine and local property. As you rightly say, the main communities affected visually will be Bardney, Wasp's Nest, Potterhanworth Booths and the Nocton Fen properties. It is likely that Nocton village will be less affected due to the topography of the land between the community and Nocton Fen, which rises to 18-20 metres above sea level and is populated by woodland, which may inhibit sight lines.
I would like to know specifically which type of turbine is being considered for this site, so that the community can begin to consider potential impacts. I understand the turbines are likely to be in the region of 3MW, with a 150 metre total height (80/90 metre at hub). Of course, turbine development is ongoing (this is a link to the ten biggest turbines developed over the last 2 years: http://www.windpowermonthly.com/10-biggest-turbines).
I would like to study a visual impact statement and some photograph mock-ups with differing sight lines, in order to see how the wind farm will 'sit in the landscape' before coming to any conclusion.
I was at the initial meeting at Nocton. I probably didn't just latch on to what was said about the turbines being restricted to the centre of the site, which is an interesting point. I am very much in the anti-wind turbine camp but from the point of view of mitigating potential bird collisions certainly keeping turbines well away from the Nocton Delph and Bardney pits would be a good idea. In other words having buffer zones around the sides of the site.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know the optimum distance between turbines. I know they can't be too close because of turbulence etc.
The turbines planned are 150 metres to the tip, which is huge, the only consolation being there would be less of them, than if they were smaller.
I hope that people will carry on putting comments on this blog, so that there can be some meaningful debate.
Regards Richard
Some, not all, reasons why Renewable Energy Systems backed off. A 2005 statement.
ReplyDeleteRenewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) has announced today that it will not be pursuing plans for a wind farm at Nocton Fen, Lincolnshire, after careful consideration of a range of issues including the results of bird assessments and MOD issues.
For the last year, RES has been carrying out a number of detailed studies to ascertain the suitability of the site southeast of Lincoln for up to 34 wind turbines. These feasibility studies - including access studies, ecological surveys commissioned from independent experts and others - have now revealed the unsuitability of this particular site for development.
Project Manager, Nick Bristow, said;
"As a company committed to sustainability, we are careful to follow industry good practice guidelines to develop well-designed projects that can only bring benefits to the local communities, wildlife and to the environment as a whole, through reducing CO2 emissions. On balance, and for a number of reasons, we have decided that this particular site is unsuitable."
Yes there is perfectly true and this statement from RES is still on the internet. I understand Vattenhall are well aware that RES backed off and the reasons why they did so. However they now believe the problems with the RAF radar etc. will be overcome in the near future. At least this what they said when I questioned them over the issue. They are also aware from their bird surveys that Marsh Harrier breeding on the fen has declined dramatically in recent years, due in the main to change in farming land usage. That is not to say however that several species of bird, which still fly over the fen, would not be at risk from colliding with turbines (birds such as golden plover, lapwing, buzzard etc.
ReplyDelete