July 2, 2012
England

Warning over possible wind farms across Vale

The Bucks Herald | www.bucksherald.co.uk 1 July 2012

Campaigners are calling for the district council to take a more robust stance against national government plans to introduce onshore wind farms.

Those who oppose the renewable energy source fear the appearance of met masts, which measure wind speed and direction, could be a pre-cursor to further applications to build wind turbines in the Vale.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) does not currently have a specific policy for dealing with wind turbine applications, but one should be formed in time to be part of the Vale of Aylesbury plan.

Councillor Carole Paternoster, cabinet member for strategic planning, has also received a letter from the Department of Energy and Climate Change indicating national government support for onshore wind farms is waning.

It said: “The renewables obligation conslutation document proposes a 10% reduction in the level of support for onshore wind to reflect ongoing falling costs of generation and to ensure that only the most affordable onshore wind projects are brought forward.”

It added that a government response confirming support levels would be issued before Parliament’s summer recess.

Campaigners are currently battling to block plans to put up four of the turbines on Dorcas Lane, near Stoke Hammond.

Four met masts have also now been put in place in Newton Longville, between Cublington and Wing, in Wingrave and at Ford, near Dinton.

Joseph Creswell, Stop Dorcas Lane Turbines action group vice chairman, said: “It seems that AVDC doesn’t have a plan in place that covers renewable energy. They are in new territory.

“Soon you might go across the Vale and see wind farm after wind farm.”

Lib Dem Councillor David Vick said he does not believe wind turbines are right for the Vale and described the appearance of more met masts as ‘the sharks circling’.

Councillor Paternoster said the AVDC environment and scrutiny committee is looking at a wind turbine policy.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/02/warning-over-possible-wind-farms-across-vale/