PROTESTERS are drawing up battle lines to stop plans for two wind turbines near several north Derbyshire villages.
Bolsover District Council’s planning committee is due to consider Losk Lane Wind Farm Ltd’s planning application for the turbines near the junction of Glapwell Lane and Losk Lane, at Palterton, during a meeting next Friday, January 18.
But the Palterton and Community Action Group and others aim to raise concerns after objecting to the plans because they feel the turbines are too close to homes, will create noise and flicker and pose an eyesore.
Group member Jayson Whitaker, of Palterton, said: “I’m not opposed to wind farms but I’m opposed to them being so close to properties. They will stand out and people will have to look out on a beautiful landscape and see a monstrosity.
“This area is starting to revive after the effects of heavy industry but there are proposals for wind turbines across conservation areas where you’re not allowed to build anything else but people are being allowed to put up these monstrosities that will blight the landscape.”
Barlborough-based Banks Renewables, which is the company behind the Losk Lane project near Palterton, Glapwell, Scarcliffe, Hillstown and Stoney Houghton, argued the turbines will produce zero-carbon energy to power thousands of homes and any noise can be controlled. It stated the site was chosen for its landscape and wind strength and if plans are approved it promised a £50,000 Warm Zone scheme with energy efficient improvements across Bolsover.
Campaigner Mr Whitaker raised similar conservation concerns regarding a potential Roseland Community Wind Farm project, at nearby Roseland, and Empirica Investments’ plans for a wind turbine between Stanfree and Clowne.
Council bosses confirmed Empirica Investments are also expected to submit a planning application for a wind turbine between Stanfree and Clowne after withdrawing original plans.
Bolsover District Council stated Empirica carried out tests and withdrew an original application for a turbine between Stanfree Cottage and Damsbrook Lane, Clowne, but the council is now awaiting a new application with a newly proposed position.
Stanfree Action Group claimed plans for a wind turbine in the area would affect views from miles away and would be “devastating” for the appearance of the landscape.
Empirica Investments was contacted but was unavailable to comment.
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