SUPPORT FOR GIANT TURBINE FALLS AWAY
At the parish council meeting on Friday 9 February 2007, villagers of Ringmer, near Lewes in Sussex, voted overwhelmingly against the proposal to erect a 230-foot turbine on the South Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
A previous survey by the Glyndebourne Estate, who are proposing to build the turbine, indicated that 73% of people in Ringmer supported the plan and only 18% were against. But at the vote at the end of the meeting on Friday night, where over 100 people turned out to hear about the proposal, 89% said they felt the impact of the proposed turbine was unacceptable and did not wish to see the turbine erected on the South Downs.
Many of the residents at the meeting were in favour of renewable energy, but they urged Glyndebourne to think of other ways of going green. Solar panels and geo-thermal power were suggested. There was also a great deal of support for wind turbines far out at sea, as recommended by the government.
Jacquetta Fewster, director of the South Downs Society, who spoke at the meeting, said the turbine would have a huge and negative visual impact on the South Downs, and the enjoyment of all those who live in and visit the area. continues “If built, the turbine would be one of the largest in any protected landscape in the UK,” she said. “At 230 feet, it would be as high as a 24-storey sky scraper. “
“We have very little unspoilt countryside left,” she continued, “and development of this kind is not acceptable in these precious landscapes. Instead, wind turbines should be built out at sea, and there should be more wave- and tidal-power developments.”
The natural beauty of the South Downs is recognised as being so valuable that it has been designated by the government as a national park, the highest landscape designation awarded in Britain.