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Our Environment |
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"In the UK, we have not so far witnessed any major adverse effects on birds associated with wind farms" RSPB |
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We have the utmost concern for the environment. Prior to making a planning application all environmental issues are studied in depth to ensure each site is suitable for wind farm
development and that any environmental impacts are sufficiently outweighed by the environmental
benefits. These studies often take up to two years to complete. The findings are then presented
within an environmental statement (“ES”) to accompany the planning application which is publicly
available. The issues considered include:
Modern wind turbines are a very quiet form of generation and the noise emitted is so little
that it is possible to hold a conversation under a turbine without raising your voice. Noise levels at
nearby residences are measured and analysed against government standards (ETSU-R-97), to
ensure that a wind farm will not be a noise nuisance to its neighbours. The best way to find out how a wind turbine sounds is to visit one in person. We host visits to wind farms for residents near our developing projects.
Natural England and local wildlife groups are consulted, and assessments are carried out
to establish the effect of the development on local flora and fauna.
The RSPB is consulted and extensive bird surveys are carried out over several seasons,
by day and night, to establish whether or not the proposed turbines will have an effect on local bird
life. The RSPB stated in its information leaflet Wind Farms and Birds that, "in the UK, we have
not so far witnessed any major adverse effects on birds associated with wind farms".
As with any vertical structure, if placed directly across a
telecommunications signal, such as a mobile phone link or TV transmission link, interference can
occur. Over 20 consultees for each potential site are written to, so as to establish if any signals are
present that need to be avoided.
UK airspace is very crowded and so the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
local airports and Ministry of Defence (MoD) are all consulted over the positioning of our turbines.
The general concern is radar interference rather than physical obstruction.
Both Natural England and local archaeological groups are consulted to
establish if proposed sites are likely to have significant impacts on heritage sites or
archaeological remains. |
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