Bampton - The Proposed Wind Farm
A proposal was made (February 2003)
to erect three wind turbines just to the south of Bampton on Bampton
Down. The
site has been given as Nine Ash Cross, just north of Van Post. These
would be the highest structures in Mid-Devon, and the first wind turbines
in this county.
The picture shown on the right is of Delabole in Cornwall, one of the
earliest wind turbines constructed.
Stratton & Holborow are
the agents for the construction.
Bonus Energy (a Danish
company) would be the manufacturer of the turbine equipment. |
|
LATEST: We understand that planning permission
has not been granted because of a) interference with the MoD weather
radar near the proposed site, and b)
the objections by the Highways Dept. to the necessary road widening and strengthening
which would be required. The proposal appears to have been dropped, at any rate for the present.
These wind turbines would be 68m (223ft) tall with
the rotating blades taking the
height
to 99m
(324ft).
It
is claimed
that
they
would
generate
equivalent
power to for the needs of 3000 homes, 10% of Mid-Devon's needs.
This is not an easy or straightforward planning
application:
-
Some will say (particularly those living
very close to the site) that wind turbines would be an eyesore in the
beautiful countryside around Bampton.
-
Others will recognise the essential provision of renewable and
sustainable sources of energy for our children and grandchildren - fossil
fuels are a temporary
solution to our planet's needs.
-
It also needs to be recognised that the
more power we produce using 'green' sources, the less greenhouse gas
(carbon dioxide) we
release into the atmosphere, helping to reduce the effects of global
warming and climate change.
On this web-site we would like to present both sides of the argument by publishing
your comments and by providing internet links to a whole range of sites to
give informed information about wind farms. We have added an electronic message
board so that you can add your comments directly.
To gain a balanced view, it is essential to gain more facts. Here is a (growing)
list of sites which may be of interest. Just click on any of the logos on the
left-hand side.
|
The British Wind Energy Association tells us that Britain
is the windiest country in Europe! In 2002, the 1000th wind turbine was
built, and electricity produced by wind power doubled in just one year,
totaling 555.8 MW of electricity. |
|
The Department of Trade and Industry web-site on renewable energy.
A further site Energy
from the Wind gives some interesting basic facts. |
|
The Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group: a
cross-party group of MPs which promotes sustainable energy issues. |
|
National Windpower provides a great deal of information. In particular,
we may learn lessons from Bears
Down Wind Farm near Newquay which was
officially opened on 20th Sept. 2001. |
|
Friends of the Earth claims that one fifth of the UK's energy supplies
need to be renewable by 2010 to help stop climate change. |
|
OWEN - Offshore Wind Energy Network. Obviously to be effective, a
wind turbine needs to be put on top of a hill, and it will be seen for
miles.
What
are the
pros
and
cons
of putting
wind farms offshore (but of course they will still be in view of the
coast)? How much more expensive is it to have wind turbines mounted in
the sea? |
|
Sustainable development - the Government's approach. |
|
Greenpeace is a global independent environmental organisation - information
on wind turbines. |
|
Renewable Energy Office for Cornwall - a county with experience of wind
farms and a beautiful landscape. |
|
The web-site of the Danish Wind Energy Association |
|
Country Guardian is a UK conservation group concerned about the environmental
and social damage caused by commercial windfarms. |
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