Loenhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Stop Windmolens Loenhout will coordinate with other action committees to make the coalitions look like 1 unit. Today, the groups will gather for the first time in Mechelen to explore the options.
There are many local action groups, for example, Stop Windmolens Loenhout, hence the recommendation that such groups ought to form a lobby for themselves in cases in reference to authorities over the impact of wind turbines on their members.
These are key stakeholders, and they are in Mechelen in a meeting to deliberate on how to form a cohesive and productive working relationship.
Its purpose is to draw the government’s attention to the social impact of enlarging wind power stations and call for more discussion on the options for the turbines’ location.
In Loenhout, there are now 11 windmills; in the entire region, the number is increasing to 50. “There will certainly be another 23 windmills. That is unbearable for the local residents.
“We think it is important to show that this has an impact on an entire neighborhood,”
says Inge from Stop Windmolens Loenhout.
“They are moving ever closer to residential areas. This is at the expense of various factors, such as our health. We are also faced with pollution, noise pollution and depreciation of property.”
The action group does emphasise that it is in favour of green energy.
“We hope that we will look beyond wind energy. We would also like to enter into dialogue with the government to cooperate in the energy transition, because we believe in that, but not all at the expense of one region.”
The problem is not unique to Loenhout, which is why the action group wants to join forces with other action groups in Flanders.
“We have contacted groups from Arendonk, Affligem, Damme and Bruges,”
says Evert from Stop Windmolens Loenhout.
“Everyone shares the same concern: wind turbines of 232 to sometimes 250 meters high that are built right next to residential areas. We have started sending out e-mails and making contacts via Facebook. Today, an initial exploratory meeting is taking place. In this way, we can stand stronger together against the government”
What are the implications of wind turbine expansion in Flanders?
The installation of wind turbines in Flanders is still ongoing. There are 689 operational wind turbines, and the total capacity of all operational wind turbines in Flanders comes to 1,809 MW, according to the latest available data.
The location of the turbines depends on the regional guidelines, and this is usually based close to motorways and high-voltage electrical power lines, they allow turbines to be positioned across residential areas if they pass the set noise and flicker tests. The incidence of complaints and the establishment of protest groups and associations confirm increasing local opposition to wind energy proposals.
Nonetheless, the openness to wind energy in Flanders is still positive, with 65% of the surveyed citizens being in favour of it. Yet, the coverage of the opposition in the media and the enhanced number of filed complaints suggest that the process of realizing wind energy infrastructure development involves certain obstacles.
The government has made a conscious effort to allow permit conveyors so that deployment can be quick, but this has been attributed to more localized opposition and demands for better communication.
