BRATTON and West Ashton residents have recently had the chance to find out more about a proposed new wind farm in the area, at exhibitions in the villages. Details about the wind farm are also now available online for residents to consider.
The plans by REG Windpower would create the first operational wind farm in Wiltshire, producing enough electricity to power approximately 3,500 households.
Located on farmland to the south-east of West Ashton, Grange Farm Wind Farm is proposed to consist of three wind turbines up to 130m in height. After 25 years, the company say that the wind farm would be decommissioned and the land returned to its former appearance.
An application for a mast, to obtain measurements to determine whether the site is suitable, has already been submitted to Wiltshire Council. A planning application for the wind farm is anticipated in the summer or autumn of 2012.
Exhibitions have recently been held in West Ashton and Bratton to give residents a chance to find out more about the plans, and more information is available online at www.grange farmwindfarm.co.uk
Julie Swabey, Wiltshire councillor for Ethandune, said that local residents have already raised their concerns on the impact the wind farm could have. “I’ve had lots of residents contacting me by phone or email who are really, really concerned,” she said. “There hasn’t been anyone who’s said it’s a really good idea. I don’t think it’s a case of ‘not in my backyard’; most have said that it’s such a beautiful place, and with the view from the White Horse it would just be inappropriate.
“People are worrying that the wind farm will go up without consultation but they can’t do that. There’s no application to actually object to yet, but I want people to be aware that we are watching it carefully. If and when the application comes up people must have their say.”
Gladys Drewett, chair of Bratton Parish Council said, “There are some people for it and some against it. Some people are for it and say it’s inevitable. One of our councillors knew this was coming up and made a point of visiting a farm with 20 in one group and as far as they were concerned there was no adverse effect.
“People are always nervous when something new comes. I think the main gripe is they haven’t got a very good reputation for generating electricity – there’s big government subsidies but the amount generated is minimal. There is the thing about the visual impact they would have, they would be visible from the White Horse, but so is the chimney.”
Keith Miller of Bratton Parish Council said he had been impressed by a site visit in Oxfordshire. “I didn’t think they were in anyway offensive to the sight. I’ve heard a lot of comments that they make a lot of noise – I didn’t hear an offensive noise at all.
“We’ve got a choice. You can either say we’re quite happy to increase global warming or do something about it. But it seems every time someone make a proposal people object to it.”
