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Controversial turbine plan is cut to four
THE company behind the controversial East Stoke wind farm has cut its number of proposed turbines by a third.
Infinergy, which wanted to build six 125-metre turbines at Masters Pit, Puddletown Road, now plans just four for the site.
Project bosses say this downsize is a response to residents' concerns, an explanation that has been rubbished by wind farm opponents.
Dorset Against Rural Turbines (Dart) president Terry Stewart said: "The main reason we are against these proposals, and we are still very much against them, is the visual impact they will have in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
"Each of these turbines is taller than Salisbury Cathedral, so reducing the number from six to four makes no real difference."
Dart has already amassed a 1,000-signature petition calling for district planners to scrap the scheme.
Infinergy, which lodged a detailed planning application with Purbeck District Council in March, will lodge this addendum within the next few weeks.
Project director Herb Lindlahr said: "Infinergy has continued to consult with statutory consultees and the wider public. We have taken on board comments from all consultees and have subsequently revised the scheme.
"The environment and neighbours are our priority and removing these two turbines demonstrates our commitment to consultation.
"Despite the reduction in the number of turbines the project still gives us the opportunity to provide a renewable energy source for Dorset."
Infinergy will contact local residents and key stakeholders over the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Dart insists opposition to the farm is steadily growing, with 150 residents attending a recent meeting to voice their concerns.
The revised farm should be capable of generating at least 12 megawatts of electricity - enough to serve around 7,000 homes.
Figures suggest a two-megawatt turbine can save 5,400 tonnes of C02 emissions each year.
7:00pm Sunday 11th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: bob_bournemouth, Christchurch on 12:07am Mon 12 May 08
I would hazard a guess that given the recent news coverage relating to this matter, that the true reason for the reduction in the number of turbines has nothing whatsoever to do with the residents of Dorset.
The cost of these ridiculous monstrosities is spiralling skywards. They are now far from the marvelous source of "free" renewable energy they were once vaunted to be.
The blight on the beautiful Dorset landscape which these enormous towers will cause, will not supply Dorset with everlasting cheap power. It will merely be sufficient to supply a tiny minority of homes with power for a percentage of days per year.
Do not let the sandal wearing 2cv drivers convince you otherwise.
I would hazard a guess that given the recent news coverage relating to this matter, that the true reason for the reduction in the number of turbines has nothing whatsoever to do with the residents of Dorset.
The cost of these ridiculous monstrosities is spiralling skywards. They are now far from the marvelous source of "free" renewable energy they were once vaunted to be.
The blight on the beautiful Dorset landscape which these enormous towers will cause, will not supply Dorset with everlasting cheap power. It will merely be sufficient to supply a tiny minority of homes with power for a percentage of days per year.
Do not let the sandal wearing 2cv drivers convince you otherwise.
Posted by: 2Much, New Forest on 6:17am Mon 12 May 08
Recently, i drove through the Sierra Nevada, and they have them scattered everywhere..they're awesome machines, and beat the look of a rusty old pylon 10 fold!
Recently, i drove through the Sierra Nevada, and they have them scattered everywhere..they're awesome machines, and beat the look of a rusty old pylon 10 fold!
Posted by: Tru Belle, purbeck on 7:06am Mon 12 May 08
Hold on, Sierra Nevada we are not, thank goodness.Perhaps the New Forest would like a plantation of them!!
The real truth is that they have become too expensive to purchase, I believe the German manufacturing company Siemens has upped the cost of manufacture to everyone by a considerable amount, and if Shell saw fit to pull out of their investment in offshore turbines, well I am sure that WE WOULD NOT MIND A CLIMB DOWN FROM INFINERGY- we all understand its plight, good try. Do the sensible thing and pull out.
These are not going to be placed as a contender for a Turner art prize- they are an inappropriate NON energysource for a virtual windless landscape!!
Hold on, Sierra Nevada we are not, thank goodness.Perhaps the New Forest would like a plantation of them!!
The real truth is that they have become too expensive to purchase, I believe the German manufacturing company Siemens has upped the cost of manufacture to everyone by a considerable amount, and if Shell saw fit to pull out of their investment in offshore turbines, well I am sure that WE WOULD NOT MIND A CLIMB DOWN FROM INFINERGY- we all understand its plight, good try. Do the sensible thing and pull out.
These are not going to be placed as a contender for a Turner art prize- they are an inappropriate NON energysource for a virtual windless landscape!!
Posted by: John Rowley, Swanage on 12:29pm Mon 12 May 08
Sierra Navada is a desert!!!!
Over the last week ant turbines would not have been producing electricity. PV cells would have and they would have every day and they cost a lot less than those eyesores.
Sierra Navada is a desert!!!!
Over the last week ant turbines would not have been producing electricity. PV cells would have and they would have every day and they cost a lot less than those eyesores.
Posted by: knocker, christchurch on 2:07pm Mon 12 May 08
The big problem is that they DON'T WORK, even with a perfect site they are lucky to achieve 20% efficiency.
The big problem is that they DON'T WORK, even with a perfect site they are lucky to achieve 20% efficiency.
Posted by: 2Much, New Forest on 2:28pm Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]John Rowley[/bold] wrote:
Sierra Navada is a desert!!!! Over the last week ant turbines would not have been producing electricity. PV cells would have and they would have every day and they cost a lot less than those eyesores.[/quote] If you're going to attack, you might find it less embarrassing if you did a bit of research first!!!
http://www.andalucia
.com/environment/pro
tect/sierra-nevada.h
tm this is the mountains in Southern Spain
Nevada Desert is what you're referring to.
John Rowley wrote:
Sierra Navada is a desert!!!! Over the last week ant turbines would not have been producing electricity. PV cells would have and they would have every day and they cost a lot less than those eyesores.
If you're going to attack, you might find it less embarrassing if you did a bit of research first!!!
http://www.andalucia
.com/environment/pro
tect/sierra-nevada.h
tm this is the mountains in Southern Spain
Nevada Desert is what you're referring to.
Posted by: Proff_Lupin DADA, Hogwarts on 6:05pm Sat 17 May 08
Call me old fashioned, but when I went to school 4x 2.3mw wind turbines only amounted to 9.2mw. Mind you, that was several hundred years ago and we didn't even have lampposts in those days.
Anyway, as my crepuscular friend Caprimulgidae(known to you humans as Nightjar)always says: "Ad summon volamus" ("We fly high"). Actually he thinks he sings it, but I don't like to say anything, what with him being on the verge of extinction and all that he's got enough to worry about.
Anyway, I must bid you all farewell - it's that time of the month again and I'm starting to feel a bit peckish.
Call me old fashioned, but when I went to school 4x 2.3mw wind turbines only amounted to 9.2mw. Mind you, that was several hundred years ago and we didn't even have lampposts in those days.
Anyway, as my crepuscular friend Caprimulgidae(known to you humans as Nightjar)always says: "Ad summon volamus" ("We fly high"). Actually he thinks he sings it, but I don't like to say anything, what with him being on the verge of extinction and all that he's got enough to worry about.
Anyway, I must bid you all farewell - it's that time of the month again and I'm starting to feel a bit peckish.
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