More Hot Air, Less Wind
Glyndebourne’s latest report making its case to Lewes planners for a controversial wind turbine adds nothing, say local groups (29/06/2007).
Consultants Northern Energy, acting for the opera house, have produced a new 80 page report which claims to answer some of the concerns of local residents and environmentalists. But, say opponents of the scheme, the latest report just underlines why there is so much opposition.
They point out that Northern Energy’s own report shows how they estimated average windspeeds for the turbine based, not on the actual gridsquare where the turbine would be sited, but on an adjoining square with higher windspeeds.
“This gives an incorrect impression of the likely energy benefits of the scheme to set against all the obvious environmental disbenefits” says Jacquetta Fewster, Director of the South Downs Society, “ and the new photomontages give a misleading impression of the effect on views from local beauty spots”
Campaigners against the turbine – which would be taller than any in a National Park in this country – say it contravenes planning policies at national, regional and local level.
“ This remains one of the greatest threats to this precious and vulnerable landscape that we’ve seen in the last 50 years, says Roy Haycock, Chairman of Sussex branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
The turbine’s opponents claim it could set a dangerous precedent for the South Downs and other sensitive landscapes, and an approval could lead to the Downs being targeted by wind energy companies.
“We’re all in favour of wind energy where it doesn’t damage treasured landscapes and is actually a cost effective way to reduce carbon emissions. But this is the wrong scheme in the wrong place” says Adrian Morris, Director of Campaigns for the Ramblers’ Association. “ If Glyndebourne wants to get some green credentials, we can give them lots of better ideas.”