November 12, 2013
England

Leigh on Mendip wind turbine plans

Shepton Mallet Journal | November 12, 2013 | www.thisissomerset.co.uk

More than 80 residents packed into Leigh on Mendip Village Hall to discuss a proposed 77m wind turbine near Chantry.

The meeting was hosted by Leigh on Mendip Parish Council chairman Chris Cudmore.

The parish council was given a presentation by the renewable energy company and submitted 42 questions, of which they received a reply to 30. g2 had also offered a £10,000 lump sum to benefit the community as part of a Section 106 agreement.

Councillor David Mattick gave a brief presentation of the answers before Phil Streather, spokesman for the No Chantry Wind Turbine group, outlined the main objections of the villagers, which included the turbine being an inefficient use of energy, how little the scheme would bring to the community, what affect it may have on house prices, the visual impact and concerns about the environment, in which he stated there had been an inadequate interim bat report submitted.

Residents commented on the scheme and concerns were raised about how bats in Asham Woods would be affected, the amount of profit that would be made and the lack of an environmental impact assessment.

The meeting was told that g2 Energy had been invited to attend but declined.

Peter Hill, head of renewables at g2, said: “g2 wrote to the parish back in May 2013 before the planning application was submitted giving them the opportunity to comment. A leaflet was also sent to properties within 2km providing the same opportunity.

“The visual impacts of the proposed turbine on the landscape has been thoroughly assessed and is set out in an accompanying Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment submitted to the planning authority. Photomontages are available via the planning authority portal and we have provided additional photomontages for residents which clearly show a minimal impact.”

To comment on the scheme visit www.mendip. gov.uk and search for 2013/1951 in the planning applications.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/12/leigh-on-mendip-wind-turbine-plans/