Birds are ‘not at risk from wind turbine’

IN an article entitled “MoD Enters Battle Against 150ft Coastal Wind Turbine Scheme” (Yorkshire Post, February 6), you reported that some residents in Bempton were unhappy about the RSPB’s decision not to object to a proposal for a single wind turbine at Norway Farm in Bempton.

David Hinde, spokesperson for Bempton Residents Against Turbines, suggested we should be objecting on the grounds that migratory birds would be “very, very vulnerable to turbine collision”. We believe he is mistaken on this point.

The RSPB takes the potential impacts of wind farms on birds and wildlife very seriously. We therefore assess the potential impact of numerous proposed wind farm developments on birds and if we have any concerns, we make these known.

We have studied this proposal, however, and are satisfied that the turbine would not cause a significant conservation threat to migratory birds or to any other birds in the area.

Although the proposed turbine is on a migratory route for species such as pink-footed geese and whooper swans, there is only a slight risk that a small number of these birds would be harmed through collision.

As this would not have an impact on the species at a population level, we have no grounds to object.

We have discussed the proposal with both Natural England and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and neither organisation was aware of any significant conservation threat to birds or wildlife.

From: John DC Piper, West Burton, Leyburn.

THE row over wind farms rumbles on. I am sure if a honest cost-benefit analysis was carried out and publicised a fairer judgment would be made.

Subsidies, cost of manufacture, erection, maintenance and wiring up and finally actual output (kw) compared to estimated after at least one year’s operating would prove how effective they really are. Even at sea, there must be a danger to shipping and fishing boats in fog.

From: Ian W Murdoch, Spring Hill, Welbury, Northallerton.

YOUR report (Yorkshire Post, February 6) that more than 100 Conservative MPs were questioning Government policy on support for onshore wind installations was a welcome sign that a significant number of politicians are taking note of the views of their constituents.

I hope that they will continue to push the Department for Energy and Climate Change to look in to the question of whether electricity generation by wind turbines has any effect on carbon dioxide emissions – the main reason for Government support for this expensive and intrusive form of energy. The data available from the National Grid shows that total onshore and offshore wind output varies so much in the short term that it is likely that for much of the time, the essential back up generators will be running inefficiently and producing more carbon dioxide than the wind generators save.

From: Denise Rawson, Watsons Lane, Norwood.

further to plans for 28 wind turbines at Penny Pot and Scargill Reservoir, I cannot believe that the proposal is even being considered.

I know that it is extremely difficult (quite rightly) for anyone in this area to get planning permission for anything. The reason always given is that it is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but not for much longer if the proposals are accepted.

Homes needed in countryside

From: Michael Clynch, Huddersfield Road, Ingbirchworth, Sheffield.

IT is difficult to see why the Campaign to Protect Rural England requires a head of planning. In many years I have never seen a planning application enjoying the support of this unelected quango.

They are always at planning inquiries and are against anything whatsoever being proposed. Villages have little housing for local people since they are priced out by second-home buyers who then pull up the drawbridge in classic Nimby style.

What do the CPRE believe they are protecting the countryside from?

The countryside is managed by farmers and their workers and if they are not priced out, homes are unavailable because local authority planning departments appear to regard new development as introducing the black death. The Government will bring a better balance, which most people will welcome.

Few dry eyes in the house

From: Janet Berry, Hambleton, Selby.

WHAT an inspiring film War Horse is. I did not realise what an important part these poor horses played in the First World War until I travelled to France and Ypres to visit my grandfather’s grave. He died at the age of 26 and is commemorated in Selby Abbey.

We saw some dreadful black and white photographs of the carnage of not only many brave young men but many brave horses who did not have any choice than to go to war.

This film follows the life of one horse and it is superb. It has everything, great sadness and poignancy, humour but most of all gallantry and courage.

This film puts everything into perspective and makes you realise how much we owed to not only these daring bold young men but also the plucky spirit of the horses they rode into battle. I do not think there were many dry eyes in the cinema.