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No to Haversham Wind Farm

THE DEADLINE FOR OBJECTING TO MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL HAS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO THE MANY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO SENT IN OBJECTIONS!

HOW DO I OBJECT?

You can make a formal objection to Milton Keynes Council either by email, online or by sending a letter. You do not have to be a Milton Keynes resident to object.

Remember, an objection from “Mr. & Mrs. Smith and family” will only count as one objection. If Mr. Smith, Mrs. Smith Jane Smith and Peter Smith all write in separately it will count as four objections

Most importantly, stick to valid planning objections - see some suggestions below. You may be concerned about the impact on your house price or the inefficiency of on-shore turbines but these are not valid planning objections and will be ignored.

Your objection letter does not need to be long or complicated, just 1 or 2 points is absolutely fine – include things that matter to YOU. It will be most effective if you write objections in your own words, but it's better to copy the suggestions below rather than not object at all!


Include your full name and address including postcode whether sending an email or letter.


EXAMPLE OBJECTION LETTER OR EMAIL

Email address: richard.sakyi@milton-keynes.gov.uk

Postal address:
Richard Sakyi
Senior Planning Officer
Milton Keynes Council
1 Saxon Gate East
Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ

Dear Mr Sakyi

Re: Planning Application No. 11/02028/FULEIS
Wind farm in Haversham cum Little Linford (Orchard Way)

I am writing to register the strongest possible objection to the proposed construction of a wind farm and associated infrastructure in Haversham for the following reasons:

EXAMPLES OF VALID PLANNING OBJECTIONS RELATING TO THIS PROPOSAL THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO INCLUDE HERE CAN BE FOUND BELOW

There has been very little time for me to consider this large planning application and I therefore reserve the right to make additional objections should I become aware of any further information of concern to me.

Make sure you include your full name and address including postcode.

EXAMPLES OF VALID PLANNING OBJECTIONS

Visual impact
You may wish to object to the visual impact of the proposed wind farm:

The proposed site is in open countryside which is widely enjoyed as an amenity for local residents as well as many people across Milton Keynes. The construction of 127m high turbines will completely and permanently alter this landscape and greatly impair the peace and enjoyment of the planned Country Park at Stantonbury, Linford Lakes and Hanson Environmental Study Centre.

The size of the turbines relative to the village of old Haversham which contains several Grade 1 and 2* buildings, including the 12c St Mary’s church in Haversham is makes the choice of this site inappropriate and unacceptable.

The much loved Buckinghamshire landmark St James the Great Church in Hanslope is 55m tall. The presence of the proposed industrial turbines at 127m high – 2.3 times higher than the church spire will completely overwhelm this Grade 1 listed building. The proposed turbines will be 700 feet above sea level and therefore visible across the whole of Milton Keynes and beyond, as far as Luton.

Proximity
You could object to the proximity of proposed turbines to important amenities or your home.

The proposed turbines are far too close to the many bridleways and public footpaths in this important public amenity area. They would straddle Swan’s Way, a national route bridleway which runs from Salcey Forest to Goring-on-Thames. The British Horse Society recommends a set off distance of at least four times the turbine height from a national route bridleway. Milton Keynes Council should ensure that these BHS guidelines, developed to ensure the safety of riders and horses, are observed.

The nearest turbine would be INSERT CORRECT DISTANCE HERE metres away from my home. Given the many studies indicating damage to health from noise, AM noise and shadow flicker and the fact that the only mitigation to these risks is the distance from a dwelling, turbines should not be sited this close to inhabited buildings.

Turbines will be unacceptably close to the ancient woodland of Little Linford Wood and far closer than the developer's own ecology reports recommend. This will impact both the people who enjoy this ancient woodland and the wild life which inhabits it.

Noise
You could object because of concerns about noise.

The turbines would create noise by day and night, thereby reducing the peaceful character of the area to the detriment of local residents with possible adverse health implications. Figures collated in April 2010 by the Renewable Energy Foundation from information obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, showed that 46 out of 217 wind farms in the UK had generated noise complaints, with 285 complaints having been recorded in total.

Recent legal developments with regard to the health issues caused by AM noise (for which the only mitigation is distance) are likely to result in the manufacturers of wind turbines increasing the permitted distances from housing within the next few months. The council should not approve a scheme while there are so many uncertainties about the impact of AM noise and agreement on safe distances for mitigation.

Threat to Wildlife
You could register your objections regarding the threat to wildlife in this area.

The proposed site is in the direct flight path of geese from Linford Lakes. The flight of the geese and other wildfowl including heron across the area is a feature of Haversham and greatly valued by local residents.

The turbines would pose a serious threat to bats either through blade strike or barotraumas (similar to the "the bends" for deep sea divers which explodes the bat’s lungs when in proximity to turbines). Little Linford Wood is home several species of rare bat. The ruined site of Wood Farm within the boundary of the proposed site is also a known habitat of bats and owls.

Red Kites, particularly adversely impacted by wind turbines, are increasingly seen on or near the proposed site as well as buzzards. This makes the choice of this site, so close to Little Linford Wood, completely unsuitable.

Failure to Consult Effectively
You may feel that RWE Npower Renewables have failed to consult properly

An exhibition held on a Friday Evening and then 10-4pm on the Saturday took place in Haversham in May. This was not a consultation as there was no mechanism for concerned residents to impact the proposed scheme as a representative of the developer admitted. Apart from one glossy marketing brochure posted to an undefined area, that is the sum total of public consultation prior to this application being made. Villages outside the immediate area were not consulted, nor were the residents of central Milton Keynes, Wolverton, Stoney Stratford, New Bradwell, Stantonbury, Newport Pagnell etc. - all areas which will be impacted by this proposal.

Health and Safety
You may wish to point out that turbines are dangerous.

Two leading manufacturers of wind turbines have documented health and safety risks:

Vestas recommend that for health and safety reasons workers stay 400m from their turbines wherever possible.

GE Electric produced a report investigating “ice throw” acknowledged ice chunks can, travel “several hundred metres”.

The most common cause of accidents is blade failure and blades can travel significant distances if they fail. For example part of a blade was thrown 1.3km when a turbine failed in Germany.

The distances of the proposed turbines to footpaths, bridleways wild life habitats and housing presents an unacceptable health and safety risk to residents, horse riders and walkers in the area.

Flooding
You may be concerned at the risk of flooding

The developer proposes to use vast amounts of concrete and build miles of access road on high ground above Haversham. This is an area with underwater springs and a reservoir and these plans would reduce water absorption on the site, causing water run off down the hill, potentially flooding the road and nearby houses.

Cumulative impact
You may be concerned that too many wind farms are built or planned in the area, so this proposal increases the cumulative impact.

The seven turbines at Petsoe End can clearly be seen from the proposed Haversham site and a wide surrounding area. There are also two proposals (currently in the planning process) to site 15 turbines near Stoke Goldington and 12 turbines at Nun Wood. In the relatively small area between Milton Keynes, Watford Gap and Kettering there are at least 20 known wind farm proposals for a total of 159 turbines. There are far too many wind farm proposals for this area and it is clear therefore that the cumulative impact will be far too great.

Other VALID objections could be:
Shadow Flicker
Construction Noise
Traffic disruption during construction

Don’t forget – only valid planning objections will be taken into account.The following are NOT deemed to be valid planning objections: