New bid for wind turbines near Gillingham after consent refusal (From Thisisdorset)

New bid for wind turbines near Gillingham after consent refusal

1:00pm Wednesday 25th November 2009

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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a wind farm in North Dorset will be resubmitted.

An application to build six giant wind turbines in a village near Gillingham was turned down by district councillors in July following 2,000 letters of objection.

Now renewable energy firm Ecotricity is preparing a revised application with fewer turbines at the same site between Bourton and Silton.

Dale Vince, the firm’s MD, said North Dorset District Council’s planning committee had turned down the original application against the recommendations of planning officers.

“We operate over 50 turbines the length and breadth of the country. All of our projects have proven themselves to be good neighbours and we would not proceed at Silton unless we can be certain of the same outcome – that’s a crucial test we apply to all possible sites,” he said.

Mr Vince added: “The truth about wind energy today is that properly designed and sited modern wind turbines don’t cause problems for neighbours.

“With wind energy there is really only one residual impact to discuss – the fact that you can see them. To some people this is a good thing and to others it is not – it is of course in the eye of the beholder.”

But Chris Langham, the chairman of campaign group Save our Silton, said the visual impact was only one his group’s concerns.

“Dorset is not a windy county. That is why turbines are situated in windy areas like Scotland, Wales, and Cornwall. Turbines in England generate electricity about 24 per cent of the time. Dorset is well below that. It would be ruining the landscape for no good purpose,” said Mr Langham.

“Wind farms are receiving over double the going rate for electricity. Turbines are hugely subsidised.

“That is why in poor areas for wind like Dorset they are still viable. It’s a very expensive way of cutting a little bit of carbon.” Mr Langham added.

A spokesperson for Ecotricity said the firm hoped to submit a revised application with fewer turbines in the first quarter of 2010.

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