Debate on control of noise from wind turbines

There is a need for the government to introduce measures to control the noise nuisance from wind turbines, according to a committee report.

Chair of the Petitions Committee William Powell led a debate on control of noise from wind turbines, on 11 July 2012.

A report published by the committee calls upon the government to pass a statute controlling the noise nuisance from wind turbines during anti-social hours.

According to the chair there has been an overwhelming number of responses from people who are affected by noise from wind turbines.

Contributing to the debate committee member, Bethan Jenkins AM said that AMs heard evidence that some people could no longer enjoy simple pleasures such as sitting in their garden in the sun.

Ms Jenkins said that others were so affected by the persistent whine from the turbines close to their homes that they found it difficult or impossible to sleep at night, leading to mental and physical health problems.

The report makes four recommendations:

• Recommendation 1 calls on the government to amend Statutory Planning Guidance to introduce buffer zones that maintain the current 500 metres minimum distance between dwellings and turbines.

• Recommendation 2 calls for guidelines to take into account the latest research by the World Health Organisation on the effects of noise on sleep disturbance.

• Recommendation 3 recommends that guidance should include a requirement that faulty turbines are switched off at specified times overnight.
• Recommendation 4 asks that the Institute of Acoustics Working Group to carry out consultations with people living close to wind turbines, so their experiences can help shape the Institute's conclusions.

On behalf of the government, Environment Minister John Griffiths accepted the latter, but rejected the other three.

Read this in Welsh.