Turbine fears
NEIGHBOURS of Tow Law Football Club fear a 15m wind turbine will affect their health and has no place in a residential area.
This is the second time the club have filed for planning permission to build a turbine at the stadium on Ironworks Road after the first application failed because of the lack of a bat survey.
In January, Tow Law Town Council approved the original plans but, after being visited by five concerned residents this week, they have decided to object saying they had not been made aware of the strength of feeling against the proposals.
Neighbour Carol Hodgson said studies in the UK, US and Europe had shown wind turbines need to be at least 1,500m away from houses but the proposed tower was less than 100m away from residents. She said: “The distance from the turbine to the houses is totally unacceptable and this sort of development has no place in a residential area.”
Another objector, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We have good reason to think some of the homes will be affected by issues such as noise and shadow flicker.
“Not everyone but some will be absolutely susceptible to things like epilepsy, migraines, sickness, vertigo and tinnitus because of their proximity to the turbine.
“We have nothing against the club and wish them well in all their games but this will have a detrimental effect on our lives.”
She also said during winter, at officially the coldest ground in the league, if the blades freeze then there will be a real danger to the houses from falling ice and the games may have to be postponed anyway.
The residents also complained that at the time of the first application they had failed to be properly consulted which is why the council had not been aware of any objections when they give it their initial approval.
Councillor Adrian Blacker expressed concern that the council had not known of the objections while Ron Grogan said: “I fully support the residents and have previously campaigned against these turbines being so close to homes on health grounds.”
Councillors were unanimous in their objection saying they wouldn’t want it on their doorstep.
Stephen Moralee from the club said the turbine would practically eliminate all costs of running the bar and would hopefully set a good example for other clubs. Mr Moralee, who has secured the £28,000 needed to build it from several grants, said: “They are entitled to their objections but we’ll have to wait and see what
Durham County Council’s planning committee say and we will accept their decision.
“The turbine would reduce our clubhouse bills to practically zero and also improve out carbon footprint. If we do get permission we hope to have it up for the new season but if we don’t we will have to look at other ways of improving our finances.”
Mr Moralee also said he couldn’t envisage a problem with ice and concerns over noise and shadow flicker had been considered but that the application fell within the planning guidelines.
The case is expected to be heard by Durham County Council’s South and West Durham planning committee on Tuesday, July 7.