German company Volkswind have revealed their intention to install an industrial wind farm covering an area of no less than 1.5 miles long (2.36kms) on fields to the south of Melmerby and Wath, near Ripon, North Yorkshire. This wind farm will consist of seven gigantic 415 ft (126.5m) industrial turbines which will totally dominate the landscape for many miles around as well as impacting on treasured views from far further. In addition, the plan involves constructing high electricity pylons across countryside currently devoid of such eyesores. Volkswind's next stage will be to commence public consultations and then submit a planning application for the wind farm and when this happens there could be only weeks for the public to raise objections.

The intended turbines will be some of the largest seen in the UK, those at Knabs Ridge near Harrogate are ‘just’ 320 ft.  At 415 ft such is the turbine size, even from several miles distant they will appear to be in the immediate vicinity, towering near surrounding villages, homes and the vistas of Ripon Cathedral. The wind farm will become the focal point of treasured vistas to and from parts of the two National Parks and the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; including, to name just a few, from the historic grade 1 Hackfall Gardens near Masham and possibly the world heritage site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal – the list will go on and on.

Lets not forget that should this scheme be approved it could easily be a ‘green light’ for other wind farms in the area; the damage is after all already done and this is a strategy that is regularly followed elsewhere.

The impact of a wind farm is not just visual; one must also take into consideration the effects of noise, low frequency infrasound, adverse health issues, shadow flicker from rotating blades, reduction in property values and in tourism, plus the substantial impact on heritage sites and wildlife. All these are serious issues that developers and the government often underplay, misrepresent or simply ignore.

The only way we can thwart these plans is by an overwhelming gravel tide of public objection.

Please do not sit back and allow this to happen!