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Opposition group to wind farm said developers are ‘clutching at straws’
Credit: Bethan Evans, Reporter, Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury, www.thewestonmercury.co.uk 30 December 2011 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Developers of the proposed Pilrow wind farm have welcomed a poll which shows 56 per cent of people support the expansion of wind energy – while an opposition group say they are just ‘clutching at straws.’
The YouGov poll was commissioned by the Sunday Times and asked 1,696 people questions on the development of renewable energy and if the Government should look into using more or less. It also found that 19 per cent were opposed to the expansion of wind energy.
Broadview is working on a planning application for up to six wind turbines on land immediately east of the M5 motorway, between the villages of Rooksbridge and Mark.
Tom Cosgrove, project manager at Broadview Energy Limited, said: “This is a robust piece of national research which shows the public understands why wind power is so important.
“Opposition to wind farms is often localised to a particular development and this research shows it is not an accurate reflection of wider public opinion.”
But campaigner for the NoPilrow organisation, Nick Woolminton, said the number of people asked was too low to give an accurate view of what the population wants.
Mr Woolminton said: “Broadview Energy really is clutching at straws if it considers that a poll of 1,695 people represents majority feelings. Industrial turbines on green belt land have an environmental, noise and visual impact that pollute the countryside for tens of miles around.
“And it is not from the Government that the subsidies come but directly out of the energy bills paid by everyone in the country.”
A visit to an existing wind farm is being planned for early February, which will give the community an opportunity to see turbines in operation. Broadview will also be holding a series of exhibitions later that month so residents can view the latest plans.
Mr Cosgrove said: “We do recognise that the wind farm will introduce an element of change into the local area and it is important that we ensure residents are fully aware of the project’s potential impacts and are given the opportunity to address their concerns with us.”
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