We’ll fight to save turbine

Sep 13 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

THE charity behind Liverpool’s first completely green building has vowed to fight to save the project as plans for a 40ft wind turbine to power it appear doomed.

KIND, a charity for disadvantaged youngsters, wants to build the turbine next to its new £750,000 carbon-neutral base in Back Canning Street – in the heart of one of Liverpool’s best-known conservation areas.

Liverpool Council is expected to reject the plans next week after a series of protests from residents, who live in the Georgian Quarter close to the Anglican Cathedral.

But the man behind the project, charity chief executive Stephen Yip, says he will fight the expected decision.

He said: “We have worked hard to make sure it is completely carbon -neutral and self sufficient. Without the wind-turbine, we would have to use fossil fuels, which would defeat the object of the entire project.”

KIND’s new project will incorporate a number of alternative energy sources, such as wind power.

There are already solar panels on the building.

The wind turbine would be capable of generating 12,000 kilowatt hours of electricity – more power than the entire needs of the KIND (Kids in Need and Distress) centre.

It is even possible that spare power can be sold into the national grid system.

The plans for the wind turbine went before Liverpool’s planning committee in August with a recommendation by council officers to approve them.

But after hearing from residents, councillors decided to postpone any decision to carry out a site visit.

They then indicated they are “mindful to refuse” the proposals with a final decision to be taken on Tuesday.

Last night, planning chairman Cllr David Irving insisted the committee is keeping an open mind, but cannot ignore the complaints.

He said: “Residents are concerned about the noise coming from the wind turbine and also that the appearance of it would be intrusive.

“Though we have said we are mindful to refuse the application, we are still open minded and would welcome more information. In the current climate, projects like this are to be encouraged.”

As well as the noise and obstruction, neighbours also argue that the turbine will be hazardous to birds which flock and nest in local trees.

Eight letters of objection and a 34-name petition have already been submitted by residents who oppose the proposal.

Some have labelled the turbine a “monster” and one resident said in a letter that he feared it might fall over.

Emlyn Williams said: “It is totally inappropriate in a conservation area and is also irrelevant in terms of the amount of electricity it would generate.

“If Mr Yip wants to teach the children that visit his centre about wind turbines, he would be better off showing them pictures of turbines out on the Mersey.”

Mr Yip: “There will hardly be any noise, it certainly will not be above background noise level.

“The objectors live some way away. The turbine is on a back street, it will not spoil any view.”

jessicashaughnessy@dailypost.co.uk