Silton Windfarm Unanimously Rejected

The North Dorset District Planning Committee today unanimously rejected the 6 Ecotricity giant industrial turbines proposed for Silton, near Gillingham. This was a great triumph for democracy since over 200 local residents squeezed into the hall to protest, while over 150 were left outside. At the meeting over 30 objectors spoke passionately about the noise and shadow flicker health problems of having turbines only 550 metres from the nearest houses.

“This proposal for turbines 120 metres (394 feet) tall on the edge of the Cranborne Chase AONB should never have been submitted,” said Terry Stewart, President of Dorset CPRE, “the developer was criticised for not complying with regulations which state that noise readings should have been taken for 12 months.” There was major local concern for tourism, since 3 of the nearest houses ran B & Bs which would have been undermined by the turbines. Campbell Dunford, the Chairman of the Renewable Energy Foundation, pointed out that developers were being paid over £1.4 billion in subsidies this year alone, which comes from the charge of £26 on every households’ electricity bills each year. Ecotricity stood to earn over £1.5million per year from the windfarm.

More information from :

Chris Langham, Chairman of SOS (Save Our Silton) : 07968-049832.
See the SOS Website : www.saveoursilton.org

Terry Stewart, Dorset CPRE President : 01202-701637.
Or the new, revised DART website : www.dartdorset.org

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