Wind farms - anyone any experience

Edale

After three years of searching we are close to exchanging contracts on a house that really suits us. I have now found out that there is going to be a wind farm with 3 wind turbines, the nearest almost exactly a mile from the house. I am pretty sure it will be visible because although there are a few bungalows and trees between the house and the turbines, they are 95 metres high to the tip of the blade.

The foundations are being built at the moment and the masts will be installed in July, the house we are buying is c £500,000, we would not need to move for 30 years so any short term loss of value may not be critical.

Although I welcome peoples opinion, I would really appreciate any comments from people who have experienced living a similar distance to one and if there were any noise issues.

We both feel gutted and really don't know what to do, my head says walk away as there is too much uncertainty and risk, my heart says buy it because it is the only property we have found in a years serious looking that is suitable (we have quite complicated needs). I am more cautious than Mrs Edale who would just go ahead.

Emmzi

http://www.ehow.com/list_6017486_disadvantages-living-close-wind-farm.html

go visit one this weekend and see how the noise is?

wymondham

Better than coal or nuclear or a housing estate?? I personally don't understand why people get upset by these. They are clean and in my opionion, not noisy, especially at that distance (no noisier than living by a road) - yes I do have experience of this. I also find them quite attractive and elegant.

Sammy85_2

I grew up opposite a power station and would rather have had a wind farm there any day! I personally think wind turbines are nice, i dont mind looking out of the window at them (i now live near to a huge windfarm).

My only concern about buying near one in your situation is that to a certain degree your house price is based on its views and surroundings, when the turbines are put up it will most likely devalue your house in some way. When you do come to sell there will be people just like you and your wife - those who dont mind and those who are more cautious about buying near a wind turbine.

As has been said before, the noise is no worse than living near a road, and at a mile away i wouldnt think it would be that noisy at all. Go and visit a turbine and see how you feel about the noise.

lilac_lady

I think I'm the only person who likes the look of wind turbines.

Edale

I like the look of them, my worry is the house we are buying is in an expensive part of our area, it is expensive because of the rural location, I have no doubt that the building of these will put off many people from buying there hence having a big impact on the future desirability of the area. Their location is on the way into the village so they are very prominent. Sammy85 they will not be working until August and the mast will not be in place until late july so it is really difficult to know how they will affect the house. They are South West from the house and I believe this is one of the worst position due to winds blowing from the south west.

Cat695

Then simply just don't buy it...its obviously a concern for you and nothing you can do will change the fact they will be there.

wymondham

Nothing will ever be ideal - something will always happen to give you concerns about losing value on your house ... wind turbines now, but what's next - housing, gravel pit ....??

Sagz_2

lilac_lady wrote: »

I think I'm the only person who likes the look of wind turbines.

I live opposite an off-shore windfarm and like them - the vista would be very boring without them. They are good for forcasting the weather too as you can see which way the wind is blowing - usually from the East here and still nippy!

jdturk

lilac_lady wrote: »

I think I'm the only person who likes the look of wind turbines.

I like them, to me they are a piece of art and no differant to things such as the angel of the north

RacyRed

I'm buying a house which is a mile or so from 2 wind turbines, they are south-east of me.

I think they are beautiful and enhance, not detract from the landscape. They are modern windmills, really. The ones near my new home have been just about audible on the days I've been up to check their impact at different times of day and in different weather conditions. (I haven't slept at the house yet though).

My only concern is that once a couple of turbines have been built and are proved to be economically viable, in a particular area, there must be some way of ensuring that the same area is not then saturated with turbines.

One or two are wonderful but dozens of them in one place are just another form of pollution.