Wind farm truck vibrations 'damage Selby houses'

Some of the homes have developed cracks in the ceilings and walls

Villagers in North Yorkshire claim trucks travelling past their homes to get to a construction site are causing structural damage to their properties.

A wind farm is being built at Newland, Selby and vehicles have been accessing the site via a narrow lane.

Resident Pamela Emmerson said: "Most residents have felt shaking... like there's been an earthquake."

Wind Prospect, developers for the wind farm, said it was working with agencies to minimise disruption.

The concerns centre on a variation to the access route to the site that was approved by the council, following an application by Wind Prospect.

Ms Emmerson said: "In the last couple of weeks I've had cracks appearing in my walls, my neighbour has had severe cracks appearing in most of her rooms in her property.

"We're such a small community here and we're surrounded by green fields and deer and all sorts of lovely wildlife... and without any warning from anybody we were bombarded by trucks, wagons full of limestone and reclaimed stone.

Residents are campaigning to get the vehicles moved to a different route

"These vehicles are passing our properties daily. The dust is immense..it is going to get worse and worse.

"We won't hang washing out in the summer... The whole situation is immense."

A spokesperson for Wind Prospect said: "As a conscientious developer, Wind Prospect takes very seriously the comments and concerns raised regarding the access route.

"We continue to work closely with the local council and the highways agency in minimising disruption during the construction phase."

The spokesperson said consultations had taken place with residents and further discussions would take place during construction.

A council spokesperson said the planning application for the wind farm "included a condition that allowed the council to agree an amendment to the access route following the initial planning decision through the written exchange of letters".

"The variation to the access route was completed following full consultation with North Yorkshire County Council Highways Authority, parish councils and the local residents," the spokesperson added.

"We will continue to monitor the situation closely."