Wind Farm

Coach trip

The Swinford Wind Farm visit took place on Saturday 17 May 2014.

The coach was boarded outside Nocton Village Hall and the journey to Leicestershire took under two hours.

I found the trip interesting for a number of reasons.

1. It was immediately apparent that the landscape of this 11-turbine wind farm was competely different to the site at Nocton Fen. Travelling to the actual site, it was difficult to locate the 'farm'. Progressing through the lanes, the turbines were often obscured behind rolling hills and tree-clad countryside. In fact, you would never have guessed, but there were also three other wind farms operating in the vicinity too. This contrasts with the potential site at Nocton Fen where the 23 wind turbines would be clearly visible in the flat landscape of Lincolnshire.

2. A Vattenfall representative gave a short presentation about the construction of the turbines, before the party was split into two groups for the visit to the wind farm site. There were also a number of local Parish Councillors in attendance who were happy to take questions and give their experiences of dealing with the company.

3. Arriving at the actual site, we were free to approach the turbine and stand at the base. There was a very slight vibration to the main column if you were to put your hand to it and one could also feel this on the concrete base through your feet. But stepping away from the base, there didn't appear to be any ground resonance at all. The blades were turning and I tried to capture the noise of these cutting through the air (see enclosed video). I didn't find this particularly intrusive and did not get any impression of this being a nuisance factor. However, there was a noticeable shadow / flicker as the blades turned in the overhead sun (you will see the shadow in one of my photographs). I was left wondering how distracting this would be when the sun was low in the sky, especially if properties were located nearby.

4. There was also some clarity required on how communities access the funds available following construction. I was under the impression the communities have to negotiate a Terms of Reference document with Vattenfall before the funds can be allocated out to the community fund. This might include which communities will benefit from the funds e.g. only those parishes within 3km of the centre of the wind farm. This may also incorporate how the fund is apportioned between communities e.g. based on a formula which takes into account population on the electoral roll and takes into account the distance of a particular community away from the wind farm. It is also likely that each Parish Council will have nominated representatives on a 'Funds Committee' to discuss bids and then allocate funds to the specific Parish. I was under the impression that a report has to be made to Vattenfall each year end on how the monies are spent too.

5. The biggest concern to me, was that at the end of the lifespan of the wind farm, the foundations of the turbines would not be removed, hence the location would be reclassified as a brown field site. Furthermore, during the 25 year lifetime of the wind farm, the main access road constructed to site, plus all the interlinked maintenance roads and crane bases would remain. This is so that servicing and replacement blades, gearboxes etc can be delivered to site as required. This could be perceived as industrial waste in what is otherwise prime farming land.

Let's hope more information will be on the table during Vattenfall's community presentations in June.