Exclusive: Full scale of region’s wind farm revolution revealed

THE full scale of the massive expansion of wind farms across Yorkshire is unveiled today, as the number of large turbines is set to triple within years.

Official figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change reveal that the region’s existing 108 turbines are to be joined by another 141 which are either already under construction or have been given planning permission – enough to power about 300,000 homes.

Analysis by the Yorkshire Post reveals that plans for more than 100 others have been drawn up but have not yet been approved. Developers say they expect to bring forward even more projects as every part of the region is told it must “bear some sort of responsibility” for meeting Government targets for 30 per cent of UK electricity to come from green sources by 2020.

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The Vale of York, where Ministry of Defence concerns over radar interference have halted schemes, is likely to be targeted as technology is developed to meet military worries.

But the expansion is being met by vocal campaigns from communities opposed to schemes that could blight their homes. Residents in Wensleydale are the latest to rise up against moves by Kelda Water Services to install turbines at Thornton Steward, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales national park.

Campaigners in Copmanthorpe, near York, scored a victory this week as councillors rejected an application to put up a mast to test wind speeds ahead of plans to build the five-turbine Hagg Wood wind farm, while a public inquiry is currently investigating whether to allow 12 turbines to be installed at Spaldington, near Howden.

• Full story and background in Saturday’s Yorkshire Post

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