October 1, 2012
England

Sellindge wind farm protesters create ‘human turbine’

BBC News | www.bbc.co.uk 30 September 2012

Kent residents fighting plans to install six wind turbines on the border of their village have created a “human replica” of a turbine in protest.

Sellindge Residents Association said villagers came up with the idea because they needed a graphic way to show how big the turbines would be.

The firm behind the scheme, Ecotricity, said the 410ft (125m) turbines would provide power for nearly 12,000 homes.

A spokesman said the company had to satisfy 27 different planning controls.

Stuart Brennan, of Ecotricity, said he could understand people’s apprehension but said the company had to carry out very strict environmental impact assessments.

‘Absolutely enormous’

He said: “They are one of the most benign forms of energy generation that you can get.”

Villagers went out on to a football pitch and joined hands to create the image of a turbine, which was photographed from above.

Ronald Lello, residents association chairman, said: “They are absolutely enormous in size. They make a huge impact on the landscape. They are right by areas of natural beauty and scientific interest. They are very close to some homes.

“You won’t be able to not see them when you move around your house.”

Mr Lello said campaigners believed the turbines were inefficient and would not reduce the need for conventional power stations.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/01/sellindge-wind-farm-protesters-create-human-turbine/