By Andrew Napier, Winchester Chief Reporter | Daily Echo | 10th April 2013 | www.dailyecho.co.ukBy Andrew Napier, Winchester Chief Reporter | Daily Echo | 10th April 2013 | www.dailyecho.co.uk
Plans to build a gigantic wind farm on Hampshire farmland have been submitted – much to the anger of local residents.
EDF Energy Renewables has put forward an application to Winchester City, Basingstoke and Deane and Test Valley councils for 14 turbines near Bullington Cross, north of Winchester.
The original proposal for 17 turbines – towering 126m over the countryside – has been reduced by three, but residents remain angry.
Douglas Paterson, chairman of Keep Hampshire Green campaign group, said: “It’s an appalling prospect for the beautiful Hampshire countryside. “We think this is an appalling thing to do to your landscape and to your neighbours.
“This is all about money and people are becoming increasingly aware that this is a subsidy scam.
“This isn’t about energy or serving the land, it’s about harvesting subsidies and getting the snout in the trough.
“These turbines will be the height of Salisbury cathedral. So 14 of them with moving parts means the visual impact will be for a radius of about 20 miles.
“Everyone needs to hold fire until the application is officially registered, then we need as many objections as possible. “I think we have a fair chance of winning this thing. We hope we can get it thrown out at the first planning committee.”
The plans have been submitted after the completion of onsite surveys and consultation with residents and stakeholders.
The scheme has been strongly opposed by people in the Sutton Scotney and Micheldever areas.
Under the proposals, seven of the turbines are within the Winchester City Council area, four in Basingstoke and Deane and three in Test Valley.
The proposed wind farm would be capable of producing up to 28MW of low carbon energy.
Darren Cuming, onshore wind development manager at EDF Energy Renewables, said: “Following consultation with local residents and the completion of detailed environmental studies, we submitted our planning application to the councils concerned.
“EDF Energy Renewables is committed to developing new low carbon electricity generating capacity to maintain energy supply, tackle climate change, and maintain affordable energy prices.
“We believe that the site identified at Bullington Cross is an excellent opportunity to establish a wind farm that can contribute towards these requirements.”
EDF Energy Renewables already has over 500MW of onshore and offshore wind farm projects in operation or currently in construction across the country.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/04/10/edf-energy-puts-forward-proposal-for-bullington-cross-wind-farm/