There aren't many win-win situations in life, but community wind turbines cover most of the bases. We have a fantastic planning proposal into the Forest of Dean District Council in Gloucestershire, England for a community turbine. I had the unedifying experience of being the only Parish Councillor in Tidenham to vote in favour of the turbine. OK, that's democracy, but the objections were based almost entirely on misinformation. The evening before the vote I had attended an open evening at another local wind turbine also built by Resilient Energy in St Briavels, but only one other councillor and no members of the public turned up. Fears of noise, environmental damage, etc. could have been allayed if people had wanted to come and see for themselves, but unfortunately most of us want our prejudices confirmed. Sheep, cows and racehorses graze peacefully under the turbine. No bats are slaughtered, no householders kept awake by the noise, no cars crash as the driver turns to view the turbine. We enjoyed the majestic slow turn of the turbine blades as they rotated to find the best wind angle. House prices in St Briavels have increased at twice the local rate since the turbine was built (14% as opposed to 7% for the wider area) as buyers are drawn to a re-energised village which shares the profits of the electricity generated. St Briavels even voted in a Green District Councillor! June 5th 2015 is the deadline for public comments to the Forest of Dean Council. Many of the objectors live outside the area. It would be good to see some more support from those who live outside the area as well. It is easy to understand that those who object may feel more energised to respond, but it would be a pity if this great opportunity for our community was lost by default. If you support community resilience, clean energy and localism, please add your voice to the mix.
You can register your support by taking this
short survey.
PROPOSED COMMUNITY WIND TURBINE
After three years work on the project we’re delighted that our Community Wind Turbine proposal has been submitted to the Forest of Dean District Council Planning Department .
The community scale turbine will be located on the farm and, with your support, will generate at least half a million pounds in revenue that will be invested directly into the local community.
If consented, local people will also have an opportunity to invest directly in this project.
The lovely people who set up and run Resilient Energy, Sue and Andy Clarke (winners of the European Award for Community Based Renewables and Business Green Leaders Awards winners 2014), can be seen
here:
