Updated Hook Moor Wind Farm plans going on display
Monday 11 February 2008
Updated proposals for a wind farm at Micklefield, near Garforth to the east of Leeds, which would meet the city’s renewable energy targets for the rest of the decade by powering more than 8,000 local homes, will go on display later this month.
And if the scheme gets the go-ahead, it would lead to the creation of a new scheme to help tackle fuel poverty and domestic energy efficiency in the local area.
Initial proposals for the Hook Moor scheme, which would be the first of its type in the Leeds metropolitan area, were first made public at an exhibition last summer.
Having reviewed the feedback from both visitors to that event and from other local consultees, and having completed a number of detailed environmental surveys and assessment of the proposed site, developers Banks Developments are putting forward updated plans for the scheme.
The proposed site for the development, which is on undulating agricultural land near the junction of the M1 and A1, has been moved further away from Micklefield village in response to feedback from local residents, and the number of turbines proposed has been reduced to five.
The updated plans for the scheme, which would still be capable of generating sufficient renewable energy for up to 8,340 local households without the production of greenhouse gases, will be on show at the Old Fire Station on the Great North Road in Micklefield between 3pm and 7pm on Wednesday 20 February.
Rob Williams, RenewablesProjects Director at Banks Developments, says: “Where the energy that we use comes from and how it is generated is one of the most important issues facing everyone in the 21st century, and we believe the Hook Moor scheme could make a very positive local contribution to meeting this challenge.
“Leeds City Council has a target of producing 10MW of wind electricity from renewable sources by 2010, a target which this site can deliver, and both existing wind data and our own comprehensive assessments point towards the fact that this is a highly suitable site for a wind farm development.
“The feedback from visitors to our first exhibition had a direct impact on the updated plans we have developed, and we hope everyone will be able to come along to see how the scheme has evolved. This has included a reduction in the number of turbines and moving the turbines further away from Micklefield.”
If the Hook Moor development goes ahead, Banks would extend its wider Warmer Yorkshire scheme to encompass local communities.
Rob Williams continues: “The Warmer Yorkshire scheme working with national organisations such as National Energy Action, Community Energy Solutions, Warm Zones and the Energy Saving Trust, to provide ways to improve the energy efficiency of local communities around our wind farm proposals.
“The key aims are to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions from homes, businesses and community facilities, issues which are becoming critical with ever-increasing household bills.
“If the Hook Moor wind farm is successful, a fund will be set up to provide local resources to assist with the delivery of sustainability schemes over the 25-year lifespan of the wind farm.”
Members of Banks Developments team will be on hand at the exhibition to answer queries from local people regarding the updated scheme and to gather feedback from them.
Anyone who cannot attend the exhibition, but would like to request further information or provide feedback can do so by contacting community engagement co-ordinator Emily Hooson at Banks Developments on 01740 658500 or e-mail hookmoor@banksdevelopments.com. Last updated: Monday 11 February 2008, 10:33 AM
|
