Trees spark wind turbine wrangle
A PENSIONER says 50 fast-growing trees planted by a neighbour will cut the amount of power produced by the wind turbine in his back garden. Doug Fullbrook invested thousands of pounds in his energy-saving project and now wants new legislation to control t
A PENSIONER says 50 fast-growing trees planted by a neighbour will cut the amount of power produced by the wind turbine in his back garden.
Doug Fullbrook invested thousands of pounds in his energy-saving project and now wants new legislation to control tree planting near wind turbines.
There was just one objection when Mr Fullbrook of Clifton House, Newton, applied to Fenland District Council for permission to erect the wind turbine one year ago.
Neighbour Claire Simpson objected but Mr Fullbrook was given the green light. Mrs Simpson has planted trees along the boundary with Mr Fullbrook's property and immediately in front of the 15 metre high turbine. She declined to comment.
He said: "She is just being childish and if they had been open with me in the first place we could have discussed it and I probably wouldn't have gone ahead with the turbine or I would have sited it in a different place"
Mr Fullbrook has called on NE Cambs Malcolm Moss for help in his quest to get new laws introduced.
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He said: "As I see it, the big issue is the current lack of planning legislation controlling the indiscriminate planting of trees without regard to the eventual impact on neighbours and infrastructure such as wind turbines.
"I had to go through the planning process to erect the wind turbine which has a finite shape/size and life if about 25 years. Trees, however, and particularly a small forest on your boundary, can grow to heights of 30 metres blocking the light and views, casting long shadows, and blocking the wind to wind turbines."
Mr Fullbrook's turbine is accredited by Ofgem and feeds directly into the national grid. A Government grant of £5,000 contributed towards the total cost of £21,000.
He may consider raising the height of the turbine to compensate for the affect of the trees.
