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12:20pm Thursday 28th August 2008
A PUBLIC inquiry into a proposed wind farm at Aston Grange has heard the noise of the turbines will be masked by the sound of traffic on the M56.
Developers Tegni Cymru, with help from German-based firm Germania Windpark, want to build four 410ft wind turbines on land near Aston Grange.
When the wind is in a south westerly direction you will be able to hear the turbines. But it concerns me when I hear turbines are noisy.
Acoutsics expert Dr Andrew McKenzie
The plans were rejected by Vale Royal Borough Council last year, but the developers appealed.
The inquiry, at the Forest Hills Hotel, Frodsham, started on Monday, August 19, and was scheduled to finish today, Wednesday.
During Friday’s hearing Dr Andrew McKenzie, an expert in acoustics, who has given evidence at 26-wind farm planning inquiries, said that he believed that the noise from the turbines would be drowned out by the sound of the traffic on the M56 and the A533.
The hearing heard that there are 255 properties within a 2km circle of the wind farm.
Alan Gent, of Lodge Lane, asked Dr McKenzie if he would be able to hear the turbines from his home.
Dr McKenzie said: “When the wind is in a south westerly direction you will be able to hear the turbines. But it concerns me when I hear turbines are noisy.”
Geoffrey Sinclair, on behalf of action group Stop Aston Windfarm (SAW) said the noise from the turbines would disturb residents’ enjoyment of the Weaver Valley Regional Park.
He added that the eight-mile Aston Ring bridleway would be under threat from the noise as the horses would be disturbed, a claim that Tegni denied.
Later on today, Wednesday, the final speeches will be heard from both sides and a decision by planning inspector Andrew Pykett is due to be heard in October.
What do you think about the plans for a wind farm in Aston? Let us know at northwichguardian.co.uk
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Felicity Stockwell, Camelford North Cornwall says...
3:05pm Thu 28 Aug 08
adaches, tinnutus and balance problems. A recent survey carried out by a Padstow GP on the residents close to The Bear Downs development shows this in a common sense way. Many "experts" that defend these development are often in the employ of the government in one way or another. There is absolutely no eveidence that wind Turbines are a "green" option for power and their destruction of local habitat is known worldwide.With regard to horses, I would wholeheartedly disagree that they are oblivious to turbines. My own steady Highland ponies are terrified of them. They produce vibrations in the ground which horses perceive and they are also able to pick up on sound which to them resembles the drumming of horses hooves and being flight animals, panic can ensue. If you have a Bridleway in close proximity I would urge all your horseriders to contact with urgency the British Horse Society with regard to access and safety of access as if this development goes ahead you will be robbed of yet another safe riding area which will never be regained.
If the spread of turbines continues at the present rate and within the expected development to 2020, we will have one turbine to every 8 square miles of Britain. In reality, in the countryside, this will equate to nearer one turbine per every 4 square miles.Gosh, I can't wait.....