Residents in plea to halt wind farm access road plans near Cliviger

8:52am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

Coun David Heginbotham with the protest banner Coun David Heginbotham with the protest banner

VILLAGERS are asking why helicopters cannot be used to transport huge wind turbine components to a wind farm development.

Residents of Overtown, near Cliviger, are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a planning application for a new access road, required by Scottish Power Renewables to ‘repower’ Coal Clough Wind Farm.

Residents fear the impact of massive transporters rumbling through the village if a track is allowed off Red Lees Road by the borough council's planning committee.

Proposals have been in the pipeline for three years to replace the existing 24 turbines, each measuring 49 metres high, with eight alternative models, of 110-metres.

Margaret Jenkins, who lives in nearby West View, said: “We just don’t know why they don't use helicopters to transport the turbines to the wind farm.

“Some of these houses on Red Lees Road are so old they don’t have proper foundations and all they tell us is to speak with our insurers.

“This is the home I retired to and this is what I will have now for the rest of my time here – disruption. We are really concerned about the vibrations.”

Similar fears were expressed by people living in the Rossendale valley when giant turbines were taken along local roads to construct Scout Moor wind farm near Edenfield.

Villagers have also put up large banners, at the entrance to Overtown, to voice their disgust at the road project, and 150 people packed out a meeting at Cliviger Village Hall, attended by the firm’s representatives.

Coun David Heginbotham, a former borough mayor who represents Cliviger, is adamant a more viable alternative exists to the Long Causeway wind farm along Foxstones Lane.

He added: “The lorries will be coming through the village with only inches to spare when there is a perfectly good option that Scottish Power seem to have dismissed.

The power firm’s agents say ‘tight bends’ in nearby Mereclough had resulted in the alternative route being sidelined.

Borough planners are expected to make a ruling on the access road proposals before the end of the year.

Comments(8)

maggie-T says...
10:37am Tue 23 Oct 12

Typical selfish cliviger residents, build the access road and tell them to go away

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disgusted tunbridge wells says...
11:01am Tue 23 Oct 12

I presume the objectors don't use electricity

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eastlancslad says...
12:46pm Tue 23 Oct 12

No need to build the useless ugly things anyway.

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bikerjohn_uk says...
10:20pm Tue 23 Oct 12

These people are absolute blithering idiots - and unfortunately my neighbours. They have absolutely no concept of the practicalities or logistics of using heavy lift helicopters, the costs involved or the noise. They're the world's biggest bunch of NIMBYs and I don't care who I upset in saying it. Build a windfarm on every hill top and have done with it. I'd rather have a hundred wind turbines than one nuclear power station anywhere.

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carrman2 says...
7:14am Wed 24 Oct 12

Signs of progress eh ! They dont like change in Cliviger

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normalperson1 says...
9:41am Wed 24 Oct 12

I think the Windmills are a fantastic thing and should be very much lauded – these are not being objected to. There are already 26 of them in situ above the hills of Cliviger. What is being objected to is the fact that Scottish Power want to permanently scar the lovely village of Cliviger (with its outstanding views enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and horseriders alike) to put a “temporary” road through the middle of it. They already had an alternative route (just outside the village which would not have the huge environmental impact this one will) Also the fact that this new route being proposed means they will now have to deal with the Great Crested Newts and the Bat species that are in the way of this new proposed route – the original route does not interfere with the natural wildlife and its habitat – but was not cost effective. Things may look simple on the surface – but dig a little deeper and its not quite what it seems.

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bikerjohn_uk says...
12:43pm Wed 24 Oct 12

normalperson1 wrote:
I think the Windmills are a fantastic thing and should be very much lauded – these are not being objected to. There are already 26 of them in situ above the hills of Cliviger. What is being objected to is the fact that Scottish Power want to permanently scar the lovely village of Cliviger (with its outstanding views enjoyed by walkers, cyclists and horseriders alike) to put a “temporary” road through the middle of it. They already had an alternative route (just outside the village which would not have the huge environmental impact this one will) Also the fact that this new route being proposed means they will now have to deal with the Great Crested Newts and the Bat species that are in the way of this new proposed route – the original route does not interfere with the natural wildlife and its habitat – but was not cost effective. Things may look simple on the surface – but dig a little deeper and its not quite what it seems.
What people are objecting to is the percieved effect it will have on the price of their properties. All the panic-mongering stems from one or two individuals who are only interested in themselves and the effect that it will have on the resale value of their houses. Unfortunately, as is usual for this part of the world, they're panic-mongering and sowing untruths to get the ignorant and the hive-minds on their side. As for the environmental impact - what a load of old tosh. There are no great-crested newts (unless somebody's salted the pond at Scholey Head) and bats roost in buildings - of which there are none along the proposed route of the access road. Oh, and a point of order - there is no village of Cliviger, it's a parish.

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normalperson1 says...
1:02pm Wed 24 Oct 12

I am sure you are right Bikerjohn_uk. However, surely it still doesnt stop it being a truly lovely place immensely enjoyed by a plethora of walkers, cyclists and horseriders (whatever name you want to give to the area) - plus the fact that an alternative route had been considered for a number of years before being deemed not "cost effective" - and would not have the potential impact it could have if the new proposed route is recommended. I am sure if a less perceived detrimental solution could be found - all of us would all end up happy ! The original windmills got up there without the need for a new "temporary" road - a possible solution could be to replace 'like for like' - then we could all be happy (ish) !!!

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