Green energy

Wind turbines set to be the biggest yet - warning

Report by James Franklin , Reporter Saturday, July 16, 2011
9:00 AM

A PROPOSED windfarm will ‘overshadow’ the surrounding villages and landscape, opponents have claimed.

The Mercury first reported last month that Broadview Energy Ltd is looking to build six 140metre wind turbines on a site at Pilrow Farm near Rooksbridge.

But residents have now registered their opposition to the project, and will soon set up an official opposition group.

Nick Woolmington, a resident of Lakehouse Lane, East Brent and a member of the No Pilrow Farm steering committee, said the turbines were the largest that the company had ever proposed building, anywhere in the UK.

He said: “At 140 metres high, we understand that the proposed turbines will be 15 metres taller than the largest ones they currently have. This means they will completely overshadow everything in the surrounding area, including Brent Knoll itself.

“Then there is the effect that the turbines are likely to have on the local wildlife – I am very concerned at the plans, and those concerns echo the concerns that have been raised by opponents of the potential windfarms in Brent Knoll and the Huntspills.”

Mr Woolmington added that at a meeting held to discuss the proposal last Thursday, the majority of the 100 or so attendees were against the plans.

Members of the group will meet tonight (Thurs) to discuss the formation of a new official group to oppose the scheme, before attending a meeting of East Brent Parish Council on Monday - a meeting Mr Woolmington says he hopes Broadview will attend.

A spokesman for the company said: “The wind turbine market is constantly evolving with recent trends seeing an increase in turbine size, this reflects a desire to maximise the amount of energy generated from a renewable source and therefore the wider environmental benefits.

“There are presently a range of environmental and technical studies taking place on the site which cover subjects such as ecology and landscape impact. The results of these studies help to inform the final design of the project and therefore ensure we propose a project that best suits the local area”.

Broadview is holding three more exhibition events in the area to gauge public opinion. They will take place from 2-8.30pm on July 21 at East Brent Village Hall, noon to 8pm on July 22 at Mark Village Hall and 10am to 2pm on July 23 at The Stables Business Centre in Rooksbridge.

5 comments

To add to my original post, Wind may be a cheap (free) form to generate power, but, sustainable? I wonder how the turbines produce when the wind drops? Yes gas and coal is running out, nuclear is returning, mans advances in science has increased in pace, should we use what we have until a newer form of energy can be discovered? or spend, spend, spend? The questions have been asked for too long, when will it stop, how will it stop?

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Neptune

Saturday, July 16, 2011
To add to my original post, Wind may be a cheap (free) form to generate power, but, sustainable? I wonder how the turbines produce when the wind drops? Yes gas and coal is running out, nuclear is returning, mans advances in science has increased in pace, should we use what we have until a newer form of energy can be discovered? or spend, spend, spend? The questions have been asked for too long, when will it stop, h will it stop?

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Neptune

Saturday, July 16, 2011
Not sure how filling a field in Rooksbridge with wind turbines will stop urban sprawl...but i agree that it needs to be stopped. I get the impression that the companies behind the turbines are not really interested in anything other than making money...why don't they just tell the truth then we can decide on an even playing field. My opinion is that they are a poor way (for a number of reasons) to produce electricity, we have a massive tidal option a couple of miles away.

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adrian stanley

Saturday, July 16, 2011
well said neptune it migt well stop the cheap housing and may stop this town becoming full of bournvillite chavs and hoodies certainly got to look better than looking at a housing estate

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gruf

Saturday, July 16, 2011
Depending on your point of view, a wind farm may help stop the sprawling development of cheap affordable house that the Government is so keen to find sites for, it may also help to change the route of the proposed pylons from Hinkley Point, then again it my impact on flooding over the Somerset levels. Wind farms are best sited in quiet locations, perhaps on Exmoor or Dartmoor or even the Quantocks. These are only my thoughts, just to get the conversation going.

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Neptune

Saturday, July 16, 2011