Learning from the social impacts associated with initiating a windfarm near the former island of Urk, The Netherlands

The social impacts of the planned windfarm ‘Windpark Noordoostpolder’ on the village of Urk are considered. Generating 190 megawatts (MW) when operational, the windfarm will be the largest in the Netherlands. Urk residents will experience a variety of negative impacts including a reduction in the aesthetic quality of their landscape, and their community identification and place attachment will be affected. The windfarm will also reduce leisure and recreation opportunities. While construction of the windfarm will arguably increase options for economic prosperity and employment, these benefits will flow to temporary construction workers who will likely come from elsewhere, and who will themselves be a cause of negative social impact and potential harm to the Urk community given its particular social characteristics as a fishing village and conservative religious community. Now part of the mainland, Urk is a former island and retains a strong independent identity and a sense of islandness. The windfarm project has generated strong feelings and has mobilized community action against the project. With their appeal rejected, the Urk community feels betrayed and considers that their concerns have not been taken seriously.