Barnoldswick residents fight plans to relocate wind turbine (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Barnoldswick residents fight plans to relocate wind turbine

10:00am Friday 16th December 2011 in Barnoldswick By Neil Docking, Reporter

ANGRY residents have launched a campaign against plans for a 20m wind turbine overlooking their homes.

Mr and Mrs Michael Ashby, of Yarlside Farm in Bracewell, Barnoldswick, have submitted an application for a 10kw turbine on a 15m pole.

But residents in Horton Lodge believe the development will blight their seven-house close near the A59.

Horton Lodge Residents' Association claim the turbine near Monk Bridge would endanger motorists, impact on the area’s natural beauty and harm wildlife including swans, geese and ducks in Butts Beck River.

The Ashby family said they would be willing to discuss the proposals with their neighbours before they are considered by Pendle Borough Council on January 24 next year.

Su Lawton, of Horton Lodge, said she was concerned about a ‘shadow flicker’ created by the turbine.

She said: “The A59 is notoriously dangerous. Any further distraction to motorists will be a disaster.

“I have witnessed the air ambulance landing in my garden, we have a commemorative plaque on the fencing for a motorcyclist and I am convinced that this already dangerous junction will be made more dangerous by this proposal.

“The turbine mast will be at window height with my bedroom, my mother’s bedroom and my children’s bedroom and will be less than 200 metres from the house.

“My mother has epilepsy. It could be very dangerous for her to experience any flicker whatsoever.”

The council approved an application for a 15m wind turbine next to the farmhouse in March this year.

But the Ashby family now want to install a different type of domestic turbine further away from their home to supply cheap electricity to their property and feed electricity into the national grid.

Malcom Foster of Horton Lodge said turbines should be sited ‘thoughtfully’ so as not to impose on others.

He said: “The old plans would have been fine. But now they want to reposition it for whatever reason, possibly because they don’t want it near their house or the manufacturers say it will be more effective on the hill.

“They want it all their way and they are not considering anybody else.”

Mrs Ashby said: “I regret that they have concerns.

“If they want to come and have a chat with us our doors are always open.”