Whilst developers would naturally argue that a wind farm does not affect property prices, and indeed have produced misleading research to this end, common sense and actual facts would prove this assertion wrong; indeed some homes have become unsaleable. With regard to this wind farm, because of the topography of the land, the enormous turbines would be visible from many houses and certainly the immediate vicinity; since the view from a home and indeed its wider environment is intrinsic to buyer appeal, a fall in its value will of course be inevitable. The link on the left leads to a collection of letters from estate agents to home owners wishing to sell; how many in the local area will in the future receive similar such letters?

Much of the local economy and many businesses are dependent on North Yorkshire's thriving tourist industry. The very reasons that tourists visit the area will be severely damaged, thus there will be a wider impact on the economy and the livelihoods of many. Can you imagine what will be left in the minds of those visiting Ripon, Masham, Fountains Abbey, Studley Royal, Western Dales and other locations – that enormous wind farm dominating the vistas for miles!!

Just one example. Knabs Ridge, near Harrogate, was granted planning permission by an Appeal Planning Inspector who totally dismissed the suggestion that the presence of a wind farm would put off visitors to the area and that local tourism industry or related businesses would be adversely affected. However, a caravan park close to the wind farm that had operated successfully for 28 years began to lose business immediately after the wind farm became operational. The tragic consequences of a wind farm on that business are covered in one of the links. What a personal loss, all for a white elephant that only operates 16% of the time!