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Fylde could lead wind revolution
ENVIRONMENTALISTS are calling for scores of wind turbines to be built to avoid "catastrophe" on the Fylde Coast.
The Green Party is warning that unless action is taken to combat climate change, Blackpool's coastal defences could be breached by rising sea levels in years to come.
Ahead of the party's spring conference in the resort this weekend, it has unveiled proposals for 50 onshore "energy windmills" to be sited on farmland bordering Blackpool, Cleveleys, Fleetwood, Lytham and St Annes.
The group is also proposing up to 125 wind turbines be built in Morecambe Bay.
The Greens say such measures are necessary in order to combat the effects of climate change.
Last week, a new report from scientists predicted sea levels would rise twice as fast as previously forecast.
Peter Cranie, the Green Party's candidate to represent the Fylde in the European Parliament, said: "The Fylde Coast used to be known as windmill land for a very good reason.
"The area has a major natural resource, the wind, which was why there were so many windmills around the coast before coal put them out of business.
"Now, given the urgency of the climate crisis that threatens to wreck coastal economies this century, we urgently need to tap the coastal wind resource on a huge scale to help power the new green economy."
Last November, plans for between 60 and 90 wind turbines off the Fylde Coast were withdrawn after developers Cirrus Energy failed to overcome objections about air safety.
Blackpool Council has installed a number of wind turbines in the resort including on the Promenade, on The Solaris and on The Enterprise Centre, all in South Shore.
Coun Maxine Callow, regeneration boss for Blackpool, said: "As a council we are committed to being green wherever possible and will look into installing a further wind turbine on the Tower headlands in the future.
"Although we support green initiatives, I know a number of residents do have concerns about wind turbines being installed near their homes so it is something that would need to be looked into in great depth."
Mr Cranie added: "The Fylde Coast is one of the areas which stands to suffer especially badly from the effects of climate change if we don't do something radical.
"A metre might sound like a small rise, but coupled with more frequent and more intense storms, it could see Blackpool's new sea-defences periodically overwhelmed with catastrophic consequences for local business especially in central Blackpool and for homes along the lower-lying parts of the coast."
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 27 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
