Leeds City Council leader backs wind farm plans » Environment » 24dash.com

The leader of Leeds City Council is backing plans for a wind farm at Hook Moor.

Richard Brett says the development – just north of Micklefield – would be a huge step towards helping the council achieve its renewable energy targets.

Banks Developments Ltd has submitted a planning proposal for five wind turbines and associated infrastructure. The turbines – which have a life span of 25 years - would have a maximum height of 125 metres to the tip of the blades and would have an overall maximum generating capacity of 15 Megawatts.

That’s enough electricity to power roughly the entire population of Kippax and Methley.

The Hook Moor site has been chosen by the developer because it is not subject to particular national landscape, ecological or cultural heritage constraints and has been shown that it wouldn’t be in conflict with the operation of Leeds Bradford Airport.

Banks Developments Ltd has also offered assurances about issues like noise, interference to TV and radio reception and extra traffic caused by construction vehicles.

The number of turbines has also been reduced from seven to five, following discussions with planning officers, to address concerns about their visual impact.

Although the plans have been submitted, a date has not yet been set for the council’s Plans Panel East committee to discuss and vote on the scheme. It will have the final say.

Council leader Richard Brett, said: “The Government has set a target of ten per cent of electricity being generated from renewable sources by 2010. The five turbines proposed at Hook Moor could provide enough electricity to meet the domestic needs of up to 8,845 households.

"If the scheme were to be approved we would meet the government's current renewable energy target for Leeds in a single scheme.

"In the interests of dramatically reducing our carbon footprint we need to invest in as many sources of alternative and renewable energy as possible.”