| Real estate agent testimony about windfarms and property values |
(4528) |
| FOR YEARS THE WINDFARM INDUSTRY HAD DENIED THE PROBLEM |
"Never be on the defensive", seems to be the motto of the windfarm business. When confronted with losses of property values, its PR men were often recorded saying: windfarms have no such effects, and in some cases they even increase the value of neighbouring properties (sic!).
The wind industry has enough money (taxpayers´, through billions of dollars of subsidies), to fund all the "scientific", "peer-reviewed" studies that will be needed to "prove" this. They have already produced tons of reports concluding that windfarms will not harm bird life "significantly", or that they are good for tourism (sic again).
But the truth is like the sun after a rainy spell: it always comes out in the end, like in this email below from Australia.
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Above: windfarm in Germany
Email from: Shane McIntyre
To: Karen & Bryan Lyons
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 11:39 AM
Subject: RE: Wind farm affect on land values
Dear Bryan,
I have been a Licensed Estate Agent for 30 years, specialising in the sale of Rural property,essentially all over Australia, with an emphasis on Victoria and the Riverina. I have held senior Management positions with the largest Rural real estate Companies in Australia.
In recent years the growth of activity and the actuality of wind towers throughout the Victorian rural landscape has been significant.
Challicum Hills, Coddrington,and Mt Mitchell have all emerged as large scale wind farms, located on the tops of the low hill country, interrupting the landscape for many kilometres.
Above: windfarm in the Eastern United States
Of significant importance, is the negative effect on the value of adjoining lands where wind towers have been erected. Visually, the towers are seen by the majority of the market as repulsive. Audibly, the towers effect the stillness a property enjoys, in particular the resonating tones in the night, invading serenity of the adjoining lands.
A proliferation of wind towers adjacent to a property has the same effect as high voltage power lines, rubbish tips, piggeries, hatcheries, and sewerage treatment plants, in that, if buyers are given a choice, they choose not to be near any of these impediments to value.
The ultimate effect is that the number of buyers willing to endure these structures is significantly less than if the structures were not there. This logically has a detrimental effect on the final price of the adjoining lands.
Experts assess the loss of value to be in excess of 30%, and sometimes up to half.
Above: windfarm in Spain
My personal experience is that when an enquiry (potential buyer) becomes aware of the presence of wind towers, or the possibility of wind towers in the immediate district of a property advertised for sale, the “fall out’ of buyers is major. Very few go on to inspect the property, and even fewer consider a purchase. On the remote chance they wish to purchase, they seek a significant reduction in the price.
There is absolutely no doubt, that the value of lands adjacent to wind towers falls significantly in value. The ambience of a rural property is important, and oftentimes, the sole reason why a purchaser selects a particular area or district. The imposition of wind towers, destroys this ambience forever.
Shane McIntyre
National Sales Manager
Elders Rural Services Australia Limited.
| Insertado
por: Mark Duchamp (24/01/2011) |
| Fuente/Autor:
Shane McIntyre - title and comments by Mark Duchamp |
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