The proposed Great Cransley Wind Farm is sited to the South East of two very well used bridleways.  The British Horse Society guidance on wind farms is:

“That as a starting point when assessing a site and its potential layout, a separation distance of 4 times the overall height should be the target for National Trails and Ride UK routes, as these are likely to be used by equestrians unfamiliar with turbines, and a distance of three times the overall height from all other routes, including roads, with the 200m recommended in the Technical Guidance PPS 22 being seen as the minimum, where it is shown in a particular case that this would be acceptable.  The negotiation process recommended in PPS 22 should indicate whether, in the particular circumstances of each site,these guidelines need to be relaxed or need strengthening to minimise or eliminate the potential difficulties.”

With the height of the proposed turbines being 125m this should mean a separation distance of 375m, however the developers are proposing a distance of about 150m.  Wind turbines create moving shadows on the ground and can start up suddenly, both of which can startle horses, a horse is a fright/flight animal and its only defense when spooked is to run, potentially causing danger to rider, horse, traffic and other members of the public.

There is no where on the proposed site that these turbine could be moved to that would make them a safe proposition.

Download the Wind Farm Consultation presentation from the British Horse Society