Minister Welcomes IOA's New Welsh Branch
Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson has welcomed the creation of the Institute Of Acoustics’ new Welsh Branch, saying she hoped it would foster a “closer relationship” between the organisation and the Assembly Government.
Jane, a keynote speaker at the IOA’s Wind Turbine Noise meeting in Cardiff on January 27, said closer ties would “enable us to find Welsh solutions to any noise related issues”.
She joined seven experts speaking about a range of issues relating to wind turbine noise at the event, which attracted about one hundred people.
IOA president John Hinton said he was “delighted” to be at the inaugural Welsh Branch meeting, held after the conference, and was “very encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by all who attended”.
Wind Turbine Noise conference organiser Gwyn Mapp, senior consultant at Bureau Veritas in Cardiff, said those attending the Welsh Branch meeting - acousticians from the public and private sectors - were keen to hold further conferences in Wales.
At the Wind Turbine Noise meeting Jane Davidson spoke extensively about the Assembly Government’s renewable energy policy and specifically its policy on wind energy.
“Wind energy has an important role to play in our renewable aspirations, but we recognise that it is a technology that is often the subject of controversy in the media, and can be one of public concern,” she said.
Reducing the impact of noise was “part of the wider agenda of environmental improvement which the Welsh Assembly Government is seeking to deliver,” said Jane.
“People are becoming increasingly less tolerant of noise and complaints are increasing. At the same time we seem to be living in an increasingly noisy environment.
“Many complaints relate to neighbourhood noise issues,” she said.
The Welsh Assembly would discuss “possible mitigation measures where noise levels are high and to preserve areas of quiet.”
“The issue of noise from wind turbines is often a controversial one, with concerns about possible health impacts often inaccurately and emotively portrayed in the media.
“However, independent research for Government on the impacts of noise from wind turbines indicate that there is no evidence to support claims of negative health impacts, and that the existing guidelines do not require revision.
While accepting this research, she recognised the public concern about wind turbine noise.
“I therefore welcome further evidence and discussion on wind turbine noise, which I hope will be able to enhance our current understanding and also reassure public confidence.
“The work of Institute Of Acoustics is vital to this process, as experts such as yourselves are in a unique position to create that better understanding of issues and further stimulate debate.”
For more information about the new Welsh Branch of the IOA, please contact Gwyn Mapp
