What is the PWAG? PDF Print E-mail
Introduction

 

Pontefract Wind Farm Action Group (PWAG) has been formed to work with and for the residents of both rural and urban districts of the area to raise awareness of the impact and likely detrimental effects of the siting of wind turbines in our community.

 

The impact will be far reaching - well beyond the currently proposed site on Went Edge, taller than Ferrybridge power station, and visible across the county. If this application is allowed to be succesful, then further developments will follow. The cost to this community, and others indirectly affected will be traumatic:-

  

  1. Devastation of an area of both ecological and archeological significance
  2. Health problems antagonised by intrusive, pulsating low frequency noise, particulary distressful to migraine and epilepsy suffers and others
  3. Strobing and flicker effects on drivers using the surrounding road network and a likely cause of accidents and damage to people and vehicles on the busy A1 motorway
  4. Close proximity to residential areas - guidelines indicate no closer than 2km from the nearest habitable dwelling and the proposal is for siting well below that distance
  5. A damaged and unsightly environment for our children and grandchildren to live and grow up in
  6. Reduction in the value of houses, and the necessary reduction in Council charges payable to Wakefield MDC as a direct result of this proposal that could adversely affect the services currently financed by our Council tax

 

 

The PWAG is not opposed to responsible renewable energy strategies and would support any other effort to redress the balance. However we are very concerned that wind turbines can be viewed as a quick-fix local solution to a global problem, achieving target quotas but not being proven to be efficient or reliable.

 

Further details are available from Tony Hames, Chairman of the PWAG on 01977 620361.

  
Objectives

 

The objectives of the PWAG are:-

  1. Oppose the application by Banks Developments to the erection of wind turbines on Westfield Lane, Darrington. Planning Application No. 07/01338/FUL
  2. To support and work with any other action groups formed for the same purpose
  3. To work with and for the local communities affected by such development
  4. To develop local links, keep local communities informed and use any specialist knowledge available through such links to the benefit of the group in opposing this planning application