JACK'S LANE WIND FARM COMMUNITY LIASON GROUP
Special meeting to discuss effects on local birdlife

Meeting – 16th June 2010, 7pm at Robsart (Syderstone Village) Hall

1. Apologies for abscence

2. Welcome and introduction

3. Approval of Minutes of Last Meeting

4. Presentation: Dr Steve Percival

5. Public Questions

6. Jack’s Lane Project Update

7. Planning Timetable Update

8. Public Questions

9. Future Meeting Dates

10. Any Other Business

Public Questions received by 09 June 2010:

The following four questions/statements have been submitted by Cllr Ann Harvey:

1. From information received at the recent exhibition, the RSPB suggested that wind farms must be located away from narrow bird migration routes and concentrated feeding, breeding and roosting a reas. Wind Farms must not be permitted where they would have adverse impacts on nationally and internationally protected wildlife sites. Plus the fact that wind farms should not be proposed within 5 miles of the coast or within 8 miles in sensitive coastal areas.

This was stated as a government decision regarding a strategic environmental assessment of potential long-term and combined impacts over the whole area being considered for development.

We have the Holkham Marshes Nature Reserve very close to us. There could be impact upon the Marsh Harriers and other wildlife there. Evidence suggests that wind farms reduce the abundance of many bird species.

2. With reference to the geese issue and their subsequent flight path over the proposed wind farm site. It was suggested at an earlier CLG meeting that the farmers alter the planting of their sugar beet crops so that the geese would feed elsewhere. What happens with the universally known crop rotation system? Also importantly, agricultural land will be taken out of production on this particular site, when we are constantly told that we need more land than ever now to feed an increasing world population.

3. I have recently read an article relating to the flight path of Barnacle geese in Scotland in the Solway Firth region. Experts from the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust are concerned about planned off-shore wind farms in the Firth of Forth and off the UK coast stating that they could prove an obstacle for the birds. Twenty five geese had been tagged and tracked at their spring migrations over four years. The bird’s main flight corridor takes them into sites earmarked for new turbines. A quote from Dr Larry Griffin (Research Officer) of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust: "If they are flying through there in the darkness or in the sea fog conditions, my concern is there is potential of a collision."

This could well apply to Jack's lane during the autumn/winter months when thousands fly across this area - an area they have frequented for many years. We should not be driving them away.

4. We have bats in South Creake church. They are protected species. How will they fare in the future if the wind farm is granted permission? Wildlife in general will be hugely affected. They do not have a voice but we do!