Turbine ruling would kill Cheltenham project
A bid to stop wind turbines being built close to homes would ‘kill’ a community-backed energy scheme in Hester’s Way, Cheltenham’s MP said in Parliament.
Plans to impose a half-mile exclusion zone around houses for all but the smallest wind turbines would increase pressure on rural areas such as the Cotswolds to accept the equipment, Martin Horwood warned.
Liberal Democrat environment spokesman Mr Horwood was speaking against a bid by Tory MP for Mid-Worcestershire Peter Luff.
Mr Luff wants to create “…a reasonable space between such giants and local communities”.
His Onshore Wind Turbines (Proximity of Habitation) Bill would impose minimum distances between wind turbines and homes depending on their height.
The new rules would not apply to projects approved by local communities and existing planning restrictions would remain in place.
Mr Luff conceded his proposals stood “no chance” of becoming law due to a lack of parliamentary time, but he said he wanted to stimulate debate on the issue.
Mr Horwood said he opposed the measure anyway, arguing it would have the “…perverse result of increasing the pressure on rural areas to accept wind turbines that local people would oppose”.
He argued it would rule out a plan for Cheltenham’s first wind turbine in Springfield Park “at a stroke” due to its proximity to homes.
Owned by the Hester’s Way Neighbourhood Project, the equipment, nearly 18 metres high, would save more than four tonnes of CO2 emissions a year and save around £1,000 a year on its electricity bill.
Mr Horwood said: “If the Bill were to cut off wind turbine projects such as the one for Springfield Park, and doubtless many others all over the country that were anywhere near people’s houses, that would increase the pressure on rural areas.
“No part of Springfield Park is less than 800 metres from a dwelling; in fact, I think that we would be pushed to find any part of my constituency that is.
“The only part that might achieve that condition would be in the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty, where even I would hesitate to support a wind turbine. Those are exactly the kinds of areas that would qualify for approval if the Bill ever saw the light of day.
“Ironically, [Mr Luff's] name could end up being used in planning inquiries more in support of insensitive wind power applications than against them.”
The Bill, which has cross- party support, received a first reading, but stands little chance of becoming law.
Gloucestershire Echo
www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
10 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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