June 21, 2013
England

Parish objects to turbine scheme in Lambourn

John Garvey Chief Reporter | www.newburytoday.co.uk

Plans to install another wind turbine at Sheepdrove Organic Farm have provoked angry protests.

At a recent meeting of Lambourn Parish Council, members agreed to formally object on the grounds that the proposed structure would be “aesthetically unpleasant” in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The chairman of the Lambourn Trainers’ Association, Peter Walwyn, said: “We oppose in every way the application for the erection of a wind turbine at Sheepdrove Farm.

“They are ugly, very uneconomic, expensive and a blot on the landscape of a site of outstanding natural beauty. If the money made was to go into the local revenue that would be something, but otherwise it is entirely for greed’s sake.”

Formal objections were also registered by members of the public.

Philip Lambert described the project as “totally inappropriate…an environmental disgrace,” and pleaded for planning chiefs to “stand up for our countryside by blocking this vandalistic plan.”

Valerie Evans objected, adding: “I feel it will set a precedent and lead to wind turbines popping up all over the beautiful Lambourn Downs.”

A spokeswoman for the Friends of the Lambourn Downs (FOLD), Jane Rowlinson, also registered a formal objection, stating: “The land is designated the highest level of AONB….the blight far outweighs the benefit. If granted, the farm would without doubt apply for more and you would be powerless to stop it. The downs will be peppered with an accumulation of turbines.

“It would be seen from all over the downs….it is so tempting to abrogate responsibility for protecting the downs in their current impeccable state and grant permission.

“Think of future generations able to enjoy the desolation and peace in this increasingly hectic world.”

A similar application last year generated vociferous – but ultimately futile – protests.

Last March, West Berkshire Council’s western area planning committee voted to overrule objections by conservationists and to allow an 18 metre high construct.

At that time, protesters had gathered outside the council committee meeting beforehand, angry at a perceived blot on the landscape and a potential threat to horses.

The latest application is for the erection of an identical Evance R9000 turbine on land to the south of Sheepdrove Organic Farm.

In the application, agents for the applicant state: “Due to the turbine’s restricted scale, we believe no strategic views across the area will be affected…whilst it is accepted there will be some impact in the landscape, it is not considered that the impact would be so adverse as to justify the refusal of the application for this reason alone.”

People can express their views, for or against, on West Berkshire Council’s online planning pages at www.westberks. gov.uk, reference 13/00833/FUL.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/06/21/parish-objects-to-turbine-scheme-in-lambourn/