[concerned]

It appears from the map showing the proposed site that it will be close to the houses in Side Bar Lane and also East Heckington and the A17. There seem to be far fewer houses that would be affected to the North East where there are large open spaces. I wonder why they chose the particular location

[Jane Davis]

concerned, on 24 August 2009 - 03:41 PM, said:

It appears from the map showing the proposed site that it will be close to the houses in Side Bar Lane and also East Heckington and the A17. There seem to be far fewer houses that would be affected to the North East where there are large open spaces. I wonder why they chose the particular location

Probably because thats the piece of land they could lease...!

[Faith]

From my understanding speaking to farmers locally the electriciy company Ecotricity wrote to all the farmers in the local area introducing themselves and informing farmers of their interest in purchansing land in this area for the location of a wind farm (or park as they call it, not sure if that is a play on words to make it sound like a jolly place!!). So it would appear, if this information is correct that they actively seek out plots of land rather than wait for land to come up for sale. I suppose this is just the way businesses work but it seems a shame to loose land of one important cause as good farmland to another important cause when surely there must be land of less use that could be used for siting wind turbines.

[Jane Davis]

Faith, on 26 August 2009 - 08:27 AM, said:

From my understanding speaking to farmers locally the electriciy company Ecotricity wrote to all the farmers in the local area introducing themselves and informing farmers of their interest in purchansing land in this area for the location of a wind farm (or park as they call it, not sure if that is a play on words to make it sound like a jolly place!!). So it would appear, if this information is correct that they actively seek out plots of land rather than wait for land to come up for sale. I suppose this is just the way businesses work but it seems a shame to loose land of one important cause as good farmland to another important cause when surely there must be land of less use that could be used for siting wind turbines.

Faith, your understanding is correct. Electricity companies identify areas and seek out willing landowners. The land is rarely purchased, more usually it is leased....

[JamieB]

Hello

I work in the planning department at Ecotricity

Developers will often approach landowners (as suggested) but equally we also get many landowners coming to us. Ecotricity did approach landowners in the area.

As Jane indicates we usually lease the land rather than buy it. However we only lease the small sections of land needed for each wind turbine base and foundation – turbines have a pretty small footprint with the base and foundation taking up a circular area about 20 metres in diameter. Crops can be grown and livestock can be grazed right up to the turbine base so only a couple of square metres are actually lost. That’s actually what happens with a lot of our existing wind farms, several of which are on agricultural land.

[Jane Davis]

JamieB, on 28 August 2009 - 09:12 AM, said:

Hello

I work in the planning department at Ecotricity

Developers will often approach landowners (as suggested) but equally we also get many landowners coming to us. Ecotricity did approach landowners in the area.

As Jane indicates we usually lease the land rather than buy it. However we only lease the small sections of land needed for each wind turbine base and foundation – turbines have a pretty small footprint with the base and foundation taking up a circular area about 20 metres in diameter. Crops can be grown and livestock can be grazed right up to the turbine base so only a couple of square metres are actually lost. That’s actually what happens with a lot of our existing wind farms, several of which are on agricultural land.

Thanks JamieB. Good to hear from you. There is currently a legal debate ongoing about with whom liability for any nuisance emanating from the swept area covered by the turbine blades rests. Which could prove interesting and challenging to farmers who lease their land like this.

[ken]

Heckington Fen is a nice rural area and the scenery would be very adversely affected by these massive wind farms. They are enormous and can make a disturbing noise. They should only be sited a long way from houses.

[ekky]

Jane Davis, on 28 August 2009 - 10:21 AM, said:

Thanks JamieB. Good to hear from you. There is currently a legal debate ongoing about with whom liability for any nuisance emanating from the swept area covered by the turbine blades rests. Which could prove interesting and challenging to farmers who lease their land like this.

[ekky]

Sorry hit the red minus sign by accident, as couldn't see the words Jane was saying. Could you amend back to zero please.