November 30, 2010
England

Nearly 80 people protest against wind farm proposals near Oldbury

By Liza-Jane Gillespie, Gazette, www.gazetteseries.co.uk 30 November 2010

Almost 80 people turned out to protest against proposals to build a wind farm near the River Severn.

Residents from Oldbury, Hill, Rockhampton and Thornbury showed up in force and armed with placards last Friday to welcome planners who were visiting the site where four 127-metre high wind turbines could be built.

During the visit members of South Gloucestershire Council’s planning committee walked around the proposed site, which is on land off Hill Lane, near Oldbury, and listened to parish councillors and residents about their objections.

Local people have said they are concerned about noise levels, visual impact, potential flicker effect, flood risk and the inappropriateness of the site for a wind farm.

Sophie Nioche, of Wind Prospect Developments, the company behind the plans, was also present at the site visit and addressed the planning committee.

Barry Turner, chairman of Oldbury Parish Council, which has objected to the wind farm, organised for a helicopter to hover over the site at 127 metres.

“Nobody has a perception of what 127 metres looks like so it was important to do. We also had a weather balloon, which allowed people to get an idea of what this will look like,” he said.

Oldbury Parish Council was joined in its objections by Hill, Rockhampton, Aust Parish Councils and Thornbury Town Council.

Cllr Tony England, chairman of Rockhampton Parish Council, said more than three quarters of the parish had contacted councillors about the wind farm and more than 90 percent opposed the plans.

South Gloucestershire Council has received 117 comments of objection from members of the public and 47 comments of support.

If built the four wind turbines could generate enough energy to power more than 5,000 homes a year.

The wind farm planning application is due to be decided by the planning committee in the New Year.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/11/30/nearly-80-people-protest-against-wind-farm-proposals-near-oldbury/