The Ripon area is rich in cultural and archaeological heritage. In addition to the well-documented Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey World Heritage Sites, grade 1 listed Ripon Cathedral and grade 1 Hackfall Gardens, an advanced search using English Heritage Gateway reveals there are no fewer than 928 results within 5 km of the wind farm.
Close to the wind farm site are the 4,000 yrs old prehistoric Thornborough Henges, which are of international importance; Nunwick Henge and Hutton Moor Henge; these serve as timeless reminders of the ancient character and unique heritage of this so very special place. The impact of this industrial wind farm on our heritage will be colossal; apart from the damage caused in construction it will also downgrade the ' settings'.
Birds and bats are particularly vulnerable to wind turbines and will be killed or maimed by the blade tips which travel at around 200mph. The wind farm site is close to a variety of ecologically important areas; nearby is the Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve which is North Yorkshire's premier wetland grassland nature reserve; the High Batts Nature Reserve is also nearby. The area along the River Ure forms part of the much greater 321 acre (130ha) SSSI conservation area which has a range of habitats; this relatively undisturbed reach of the river is important for breeding including kingfisher and waders such as the oystercatcher. Some of these sections will be situated within just 500 metres of turbines. The Ure valley is a major migration route for birds including greylag geese; two species of swan also migrate here from the Artic – the whooper swan and berwick's swan. Another frequent visitor to the area is the grey heron; red kite and buzzards are occasionally spotted.
Out of 16 bat species in the UK, 8 can be found locally. The rotating blades of turbines produce a change in air pressure that causes the expansion of the lungs resulting in bursting capillaries and a painful death – not exactly 'environmentally friendly and green'. Bats are hugely important in the countryside and it should not be forgotten that they eat the midges that carry the Bluetongue virus which causes serious disease in livestock.