Village farm turbine plan
Turbines generating enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes could be built on a wind farm near Bicester.
Villagers are being asked for their thoughts on the plan which could see four turbines built on farm land in Fewcott.
The news comes just a day after the plans for an eco-town at nearby Weston Otmoor suffered a setback, with the Government saying it would have a major impact on the surrounding area.
Some residents have voiced concern about the turbines plan, but others have suggested it would be a better option than a waste incinerator in nearby Ardley.
Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone had already applied to Cherwell District Council to put up a 60m- tall test mast, but said four turbines could be built to generate electricity for 5,380 homes.
Leaflets outlining the company’s plans have been given to residents living in nearby villages, including Ardley, Fritwell and Bucknell.
Director Mike Corker said if the wind farm was approved, some profits would be used to upgrade local facilities or improve energy efficiency in the community.
He said: “For each of the turbines built, £3,500 per year would be paid into a community benefit fund, making a total of £14,000 per year, or £350,000 over the 25-year life of the project.
“There have been a lot of searches going on over the country for suitable sites. We have probably come up, in three years, with only 10 we think could be possible.”
Jane Gibson-Harris, of East Street, Fewcott, said: “I’m not overly happy about it. I’m not convinced of the benefits and it would be too close to houses.”
But Jon O ‘Neill, chairman of the Ardley Against Incinerator Ac-tion group, which opposes Oxford-shire County Council’s proposal to build a waste incinerator at Ardley, said given the choice of incineration or wind power, the group would favour the latter.
He said: “It’s not right for us to comment on the wind farm but we can say that the Ardley Quarry inncinerator proposals are spectacularly not the way forward.”
Brian Steventon, chairman of Ardley and Fewcott parish council, said: “We’re concerned lights from vehicles on the motorway, the service area and Ardley Football Club, could reflect against the turbine blades.”
A public exhibition will take place at Ardley with Fewcott Community Hall, next Thursday, from 4pm to 8pm and next Friday from 3pm to 7pm.
By Hayley Cover
5 November 2008
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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