Economic Objections
Below is a list of objection paragraphs relating to the negative economic impact of this proposed wind turbine. They are not in any particular order. Either cut and paste the relevant objections into your letter, or use them as seeds for your own ideas.
* The developers claim the project will bring economic benefit to the area, but this will be minimal and transitory.
* There will be a considerable negative effect, because customers are willing to travel many miles to visit local farm shops, nurseries, riding schools, restaurants etc, partly because of the tranquil and attractive landscape of the area. The introduction of a wind turbine will prove a disincentive and encourage people to go elsewhere. Businesses and employment will suffer.
* West Lancashire is being targeted by wind turbine companies because the lucrative feed-in tariffs produce high returns for the companies and the land owner. Wind power can only survive on subsidies which are ultimately paid by the taxpayer and the consumer who will also pay through loss of landscape and visual amenity. I support the search for renewable energy sources but request the Council to encourage other technologies such as solar PV cells which are more acceptable to the population and less destructive of the environment in which we live.
* The effect of industrialisation of the green belt means a reduction in tourism and the collapse of small business with the subsequent loss of jobs.
* Developers may indicate that a wind turbine will bring economic advantages to an area by the building of the turbine. But as locals don’t have the skills to erect it, these have to be brought in from outside the area and the turbine itself is almost always shipped in from outside the UK.
* Developers overestimate the power that is likely to be generated and the associated carbon emissions savings. High wind speeds can cause damage and means wind turbines are often switched off. Low wind speeds mean they can’t turn. Irregular wind speeds and they have to remain still.
* Cost to the country – Due to the lucrative government subsidies for wind turbines, large commercial companies have set up to take full advantage. There are other more environmentally friendly options that will cost UK citizens less in the long term and be far more CO2 efficient.
* Wind as a form of renewable energy is one of the least effective for reducing our carbon foot print. Data provided by supporting organisations is always given as if the turbine is working at full capacity, which by the nature of wind it can’t.
* The feed-in tariffs that encourage wind turbine development by large companies do not bring any financial benefit to the local economy. There are many other greener solutions now available which do not have the harmful effects that are associated with wind turbines.
* Some areas of West Lancashire are now being targeted by large wind turbine companies due to the lucrative feed-in tariffs provided under current government legislation.
* There is No Economic Benefit.
“The economic argument proves that wind power generated energy is one of the most expensive forms of electricity and survives on direct and indirect subsidies bringing an added cost to tax payers without making a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” (Noise Abatement Society).
* Data provided by applicants generally assumes average wind speeds of 5.9m/s which cannot be guaranteed. There will be periods when the wind is too strong, gusty or low for the turbine to function. We have to also consider the times that it is requested that they be turned off as the grid can’t cope with the energy being produced, and of course we, the tax payer, pay the operator an additional amount for each and every time they are turned off. Wind turbines are notoriously inefficient.
* Consider the economic impact of the application on our local community; are there any jobs being created within the community as a result of this proposed installation? The applicant has stated that it will bring 'Economic Growth' to the locality, which will overcome the ‘special circumstances’ objection for erecting a wind turbine on Green Belt land. The reality of the economic argument is of no growth, but cost savings and revenue to the landowner / developer. It is a subjective argument that has been provided by the developer and is biased to the applicant.
* There should be a consideration of the negative impact on neighboring businesses e.g. riding schools, competitive horse events, campers, holiday makers and fishing.
* This area of West Lancashire attracts both local tourism and people from a wider field however it would be very easy to scare them off from visiting and spending their money in the local economy.
*People visiting rural areas choose to go there for the tranquillity and visual amenity and not the noise and sight of huge columnar structures, so they will eventually find other areas to visit, leaving failing business behind and a shrinking local economy with the resultant loss of jobs.
Wrightington Residents Against Turbines (The WRAT Pack)