Seaton wind turbines: Critics ask residents to object
Opponents of plans to erect three wind turbines near Hartlepool, said to be the tallest in England and Wales, are urging more residents to object.
Plans by Seneca Global Energy for three 175m (574ft) turbines in Seaton Carew were approved in February 2015. Seaton Wind Turbine Action Group chair Monica Vaughn said they would "tower" over homes and be "overbearing". Seneca Global Energy has been approached for comment by the BBC. A planning inquiry is set for October. Plans for the turbines were called in by the government amid fears over their environmental impact. 'Somebody has to fight' "I think they're being imposed on people," said Ms Vaughn. "There's concern from them about the noise, about the flicker and, also, some of them are actually concerned about the re-saleable value on their houses." The turbines at Graythorp Industrial Estate, Brenda Road West Industrial Estate and Tofts Road West were to be 200m (655ft) but their height was reduced following concerns over toppling distance to the nearby railway line. By comparison, turbines at Northumberland wind farms such as Lynemouth and Middlemoor are about 120-125m (about 400ft) high. Ms Vaughn said she was rallying opposition because "the residents in this area are going to be impacted and somebody has to fight their cause." The group is fundraising to pay for "expert witnesses and technical reports" and is holding a public meeting in July. The Planning Inspectorate is expected to hold its planning inquiry on 4 October. Related Internet Links Hartlepool Borough Council Seneca Global Energy