Windfarm Consultation

400 Consultations sent out

Sent to…. Bridleway OfficersDevelopment officersAffiliated Bridleway

Groups

116 responses received- return of 29%

Contents of Consultation

Questions included: Do you ride near wind turbines?

Are they near public rights of way?

Have you encountered any problems?

Location of respondent

Response? Of the 116 responses, 19 people

rode near turbines (16%)

16 people informed us the turbines were on, or very near a right of way, the remainder being on private land.

Problems?

The Main Problems Reported Were: Turbines casting shadows

Noise from turbines

Flying Ice in winter

Movement of bladesAll of the above upsetting the horse and often

unseating the rider or causing them to fall

Problems? From the 19 respondents, 5 people

have actually fallen off at least once, 3 of these required hospitalisation and was horse was unable to be ridden after the incident

People who encountered no problems stated they were riding horses who were accustomed to the turbines or

riding very steady older horses. They also acknowledged that they could

understand how other peoples horses may be upset by the presence of a turbine and are aware of incidents

occurring

Lots of people also commented that they wouldn’t mind one turbine,

however a whole farm of turbines may cause them to rethink their

riding route.

In one particular instance, a report of over half the members of

Haworth and Oxenhope riding club experiencing problems was

reported, this being over 100 incidents.

Location of Respondents 1 Incident in North

East

5 Incidents in Lancashire

1 Incident in Cumbria

1 Incident in West Yorkshire

1 incident in Cornwall

2 incidents in Wales

Location of Respondents Lancashire1x unable to pass, 1 fall, 1 bolted, 2x distressed horses Wales1xsudden stop and spin around, 1 bolted West Yorkshire1x distressed horse but heard of many more riders having

problems, over half the bridleway group. Cornwall1x distressed horse Cumbria1x distressed horse North east1x distressed horse due to noise

Respondents were also asked if the presence of turbines would deter them from taking their horse to a given place e.g an equestrian holiday.

Of the 99 people who answered the question, 66 would not take their horse on holiday where there were turbines present (65%)

The main reasons were: Their horse had never seen a turbine and they would be

unsure of its reaction

Unnecessary risk

Scenery and views spoilt

Equestrian Business This will have implications for

many equestrian businesses including bed and breakfast establishments.

In the areas where incidents were reported the British Horse Society has registered bed and breakfasts that cater for equestrians

Bed and Breakfast Establishments County Durham and surrounding area –

7 Lancashire – 5 Cornwall – 5 West Yorkshire – 11 Cumbria – 6

One respondent commented that her clients have stopped coming due to the erection of

turbines in the surrounding area