Q&A: wind farms and house prices Appearance Wind turbines can measure several hundred feet in height, making them visible for miles and giving them the impression of looming over nearby communities. Their aerodynamic design, with three long white blades standing atop a single thick white stalk, is certainly distinctive but is viewed by many as being less than attractive. Tall objects also create long shadows. When the sun is low and sinks behind a turbine, particularly in high winds, it can create a fast-changing shadow effect similar to a strobe light as the blades rotate. This flickering effect can be powerful enough to penetrate through domestic blinds and curtains, affecting the ambience of a bedroom or lounge. Tremors Some people who live very close to wind farms report that the turbines can cause window panes and doors to rattle, and make wooden floorboards vibrate. But experts say the low-level vibrations are so slight that they are almost impossible to detect other than with sophisticated scientific equipment. Similar scale vibrations occur as a result of traffic and background noise and are not solely produced by wind turbines, they add. What can I do to stop them? Firstly, lodge your objections to the planning application with the local authority. You will be able to view the application, plans and supporting documentation either on the local authority's website or at its offices. Where an application includes a wind turbine that is more than 15 metres or involves more than two turbines, the planning authority requires the application to be accompanied by an environmental statement. Safety concerns can arise if the turbine is near to a road or footpath, or high enough to pose a risk to aircraft. Any threat to wildlife, such as bird or bat populations, must also be taken into account. You should consider the proximity of the wind turbines to your home. While in England there is no prescribed separation distance, noise limits suggest a minimum distance of 350 metres for a typical wind turbine. Scotland has guidance suggesting 2km and Wales suggests 500 metres between a wind turbine and housing. How do I get compensation? Contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) who have already moved the council tax bands of homes in Devon. Is there any way of ensuring land near to my home cannot be used for wind farms?