Asda revive wind turbine plans
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New plans for a giant wind turbine which will dominate the Falkirk landscape have been unveiled.
This week, supermarket giants Asda revealed they had resubmitted plans to Falkirk Council to build a single wind turbine to power its distribution centre at Bankside, Falkirk.
Last December, councillors on the regulatory committee threw out a similar proposal due to concerns about the potential visual impact of the 125 metre tall structure, the lack of community benefit and whether alternative means could be used to generate green energy.
The proposed turbine would produce up to 75 per cent of the centre’s energy needs.
Company bosses said it would not only demonstrate Asda’s commitment to the environment, but would be one of the most significant renewable power schemes in Falkirk.
It is also expected to halt the release of over 5000 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually, based on current energy supplies.
Asda chiefs added local people would benefit as the supermarket planned to fund a “community resource” from the money generated by the proposed wind turbine.
Lisa Rooke, Asda’s property communications manager for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to bring forward these plans for renewable energy for our Falkirk distribution centre. It will put both Falkirk and Asda at the forefront of renewable energy generation and cut CO2 emissions.
“We believe the Falkirk site is an excellent location for one of our turbines.
”Last year, we received excellent support from the local community and we look forward to discussing our proposals with them again and consulting with them in the coming months.”
She added that building the turbine would bring the company closer to its long-term goal of being supplied by 100 per cent renewable energy with the proposal generating 75 per cent of the distribution centre’s electricity needs.
Ms Rooke said: “As a leading local employer committed to the local community, we are also proposing the creation of a local trust fund that will provide tangible benefits to the local community.”
Sitting adjacent to the giant environmental initiative The Helix, which received £25 million in lottery funding last year to transform acres of land into a massive ‘green’ project, the Asda official said the proposed wind turbine would compliment it as both tackled sustainablility.
She added: “During the planning consultation process, Scottish National Heritage recognised that the turbine would not make any great change to what is largely an industrial area.”
Asda currently employs over 1800 people in the Falkirk and Grangemouth area through its two distribution centres and two stores, with another due to open in Stenhousemuir later this year.
By Jill Buchanan
Chief Reporter
5 June 2008
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