VILLAGERS are furious over plans to build giant wind turbines that would ruin their idyllic countryside that inspired David Hockney.
The 492 ft high structures are expected to be erected in Woldgate, near Burton Agnes.
Six wind turbines are proposed to be erected in a Yorkshire countryside that was popularised by David Hockney’s paintings Credit: / SWNS
Nancy Miller, a local artist, said that the plans showed a huge ‘lack of respect’ for the area’s artistic heritage Credit: SWNS
But locals are challenging the green move, saying that it would “ruin” the landscape popularised by artist Hockney’s paintings.
Former art teacher Nancy Miller, 75, who lives in the nearby village of Carnaby, said: “I’m a huge champion of green and the fight against climate change.
“It’s all a matter of placement and minimising negative impact.
“We all understand from its physical size and functionality the chosen location is always going to be rural, impact wildlife and alter the landscape forever.
Developers Ridge Clean Energy have proposed to build the 492 ft high turbines in the countryside around Woldgate near Bridlington Credit: SWNS
The green energy sources are estimated to supply 24,000 average UK households with power per annum Credit: Alamy
“This site unfortunately pushes the impact to another level.
“The recent loss of David Hockney has made his depictions of the landscape under discussion even more irreplaceable.
“If the project goes ahead on this site it shows a huge lack of respect for national artistic heritage, let’s face it, there are other fields that haven’t been painted by one of the most iconic artists in modern .
“The battle against climate change doesn’t have to be a war on culture.”
A member of campaign group Keep Wind Off Woldgate, Rob Booth, 58, said: “Residents are absolutely appalled that the developer has said these turbines can be ‘accommodated within the host landscape’ and would not result in significant adverse effects, when East Riding Council’s own pre-application assessment concluded precisely the opposite.
“The council planners described this part of the Yorkshire Wolds as a ‘highly sensitive area’ and found that the wind farm would cause ‘harm to the landscape, heritage assets and living conditions’.
“It went on to state that those harms would ‘significantly and demonstrably outweigh the ‘.
“We will continue to fight these plans and encourage everyone who values this unique destination to submit their objections.”
The developers, Ridge Clean Energy, said the six wind turbines it has earmarked for the Yorkshire countryside would “offset emissions” and “contribute to the national legislation of net zero emissions by 2050”.
They had submitted the proposal just days before the death of Bradford-born artist David Hockney.
Hockney, who died last month aged 88, painted a range of famous artworks of Woldgate Woods, near where the turbines are planned to be erected.
One of his pieces titled “Woldgate Woods” sold for £9.4million in New York in 2016.
It will be part of the Three Oaks Park, which includes a solar farm and battery storage.
The turbines, which will span across a 5.4-hectare area, are estimated to produce enough power to supply 24,000 UK households annually.
In response to the local backlash, Ridge Clean Energy has offered a “community benefit fund” of around £126,000 a year.
It said the would go towards supporting community led initiatives.
If the plans are approved, construction will begin in early 2028 and take eight months to complete.
Local councillor Denise Howard said: “Woldgate is not an anonymous stretch of countryside.
“It is one of the most recognisable landscapes in Yorkshire, celebrated internationally through the work of David Hockney and treasured by the communities that live here.
“Along with Burton Agnes Hall and the Rudston Monolith, this area is crucial to our tourism economy.
“We support renewable energy in the right place, but this is certainly not the right place.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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