August 25, 2010
England

Smaller windfarm planned at Stinchcombe

www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk 25 August 2010

Green electricity firm Ecotricity has halved the size of its proposed new windfarm in Stinchcombe.

The Stroud-based company has just submitted a formal application for only four wind turbines to the Stroud District Council planning authority.

Previously the company applied for eight 120m windmills at Standle Farm but a storm of protests blew up from residents who said the turbines would blight the countryside.

Now its managing director Dale Vince says the company has listened carefully to the views of local people.

“We’ve reduced our proposals from the original eight windmills to just four,” he said.

“By doing this, we will ensure these windmills are good neighbours for people and wildlife – but, at the same time, this project will still make a vital contribution to the provision of clean energy in Stroud district.”

The four windmills would be up to 30m lower on the horizon, greatly reducing the visual impact for residents, he said.

“We hope that the council will recognise the real need to develop good sources of local clean energy.”

A formal period of public consultation about the turbines will follow.

Protests are, however, again expected from the Save Berkeley Vale campaign group.

Its spokesman Jack Sant said: “We have a lot of people supporting us.

“We haven’t seen these plans yet. There is a wide spectrum of opposition views.”

Stinchcombe Parish Council also remains against the scheme.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/08/25/smaller-windfarm-planned-at-stinchcombe/