July 5, 2008
England, Wales

Concern mounts over wind farms

Concerns are growing along the Welsh border among those who are pledged to fight against controversial wind farm plans.

Among those who have pledged their opposition to proposals for four 105-metre turbines on Reeves Hill and Stonewall Hill, near Knighton, submitted by Bolsterstone plc on land owned by Sir Simon Gourlay, is specialist in renewable energy Professor Michael Jefferson, who has stated in a radio broadcast that the proposed site is “not an ideal place”.

Professor Jefferson’s concerns have been echoed by author Ian McEwan, and the proposals due for consideration by Herefordshire Council’s planning committee in either August or September have also received objections from groups including the Offa’s Dyke Association, the Border Group Parish Council and the prestigious Presteigne Festival.

Members of Stonewall Hill Conservation Group have issued stark pictures measuring one of the proposed turbines against Nelson’s Column, measuring 55 metres.

The Offa’s Dyke Association argues that the proposed turbines are the tallest yet to be constructed in western England or in Wales. In a letter to Herefordshire Council planners, the chairman of the association, Sophie Andreae, stated: “The visual impact of these turbines on one of the best preserved sections of the dyke – an ancient monument of outstanding importance – and the associated National Trail, will, in our view, be devastating.”

Mrs Andreae said that because of their “immense size” the association considered these turbines would be “even more damaging to the landscape than the proposal for a larger number of smaller turbines which was rejected in 1996.”

Continued on page 3 of the MId Wales Journal, on sale now for just 40p.

southshropshirejournals.com

4 July 2008


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/07/05/concern-mounts-over-wind-farms/