Balloon goes up in fight against turbines scheme
CAMPAIGNERS raised a weather balloon to 126 metres in Olveston to protest against two proposed wind turbines.
Olveston Windfarm Action Group wanted villagers to see just how high the new turbines could be.
-
Olveston Windfarm Action Group oppose the plan for new wind turbines BRML2012 1006A-004_C
It has since been revealed that the turbines proposed near Ingst, between the M48 and the M4 motorways, could be even higher with developer REG Windpower last week adjusting its proposals.
Instead of a scheme which would have seen three turbines at a height of 126 metres (413 feet), the company has changed its proposal to two turbines at up to 150 metres.
Dyson DC50i - Bagless upright vacuum cleaner - BALL Technology -...
View detailsThisi is Dyson's smallest upright vacuum cleaner with the performance of a full size upright machine. The DC50i has Dyson's most advanced cleaner head technology and 2 Tier RadialTM cyclones.
Terms: LIMITED STOCK OFFER. FREE delivery to most UK postcodes - Next working day dispatch.
Contact: 01664 491439
Valid until: Monday, May 27 2013
REG unveiled the changes to its original scheme following a public consultation last month.
The firm said it had taken on board residents' comments and had adapted its plans accordingly.
A spokesman said it had remodelled the site with the aim to increase distances from as many farms and homes as possible.
But the news was not welcomed by the action group, which had to get permission to raise its weather balloon on Saturday from the Civil Aviation Authority.
Claire Barnard, chairwoman of Olveston Windfarm Action Group, told the Post: "Seeing how high 126 metres was by raising the weather balloon was enlightening.
"Lots of villagers commented that they were surprised by how high up it was.
"The proposed turbines could be even higher, and that's why we are against them.
"They would be too close to homes, which would be affected by noise, and they should not be placed on greenbelt land, which is what is proposed."
REG has not yet put in a planning application to South Gloucestershire Council for the scheme.
The Olveston Windfarm Action Group will also elevate the balloon again this Friday and Saturday.
To read more about the new proposal visit www.m48windfarm.co.uk.
Comments
by click2011
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 3:34PM
“The campaigners should have their power cut off for a short while during the winter months. I'm certain this will change their minds pretty quickly.
Get over it the rest of the world has built wind turbines, it's the future!”
by smoosername
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 2:49PM
“They are worried about noise when their village is 150-200m from the M48!
Come on NIMBY's, you can do better than that surely!”
by andyyandyy
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 1:03PM
“Its interesting that you have protestors against windfarms today and yesterday the news was about protestors against the new power station.
The real crime at the moment is the amount of Electricity being created in this country as it is now at a low to the point where as a country we are nearly using the max we create which is why it is bringing the cost we pay up.
There are pros and cons to both. Turbines are alleged to be greener apart from how they are made and how they are put up and the amount of servicing they need. There has been accidents involving blades falling off. On top of that most surveys show that alot of them costs more to have than what you get out of it. How will it effect wildlife like a flock of birds.
Me personally I'd rather see a power station with the current options, yes there are risks but given the amount of power and jobs it creates the pros out weigh the cons. A plant like that could give a lot of school leavers a career and whether it is windy or not it will still keep producing.
However I think Iceland is the country people should look at as they say 81 percent of primary energy for their country is from renewable energy sources. As they use Hydropower, Geothermal power (as does Italy), Solar power and Hydrogen.”
by JimBob
Tuesday, October 09 2012, 12:33PM
“Until this campaign group can put forward a legitimate and factually based argument against 2…..yes, that's 2 turbines, they literally have no leg to stand on. Noise? Carry out a bit of research before making silly assumptions. REG have already shown they are willing to listen to local residents and have even adjusted their scheme.
To the campaign group – are you against 2 turbines for fear of them blocking out the sun and so causing you to enter a mini ice age in your garden? Is it for fear that your children may not listen to you and climb the turbine anyway, facing possible injury, or death? Is it for fear that 2 turbines will produce more noise than 2 motorways? Is it for fear that 2 turbines will only provide energy for a lot of people in the area and not every single home on the planet and on mars? I guess not. I am guessing however that it may be because your, very special and important eyes may be horrendously offended and possibly burnt out of your faces, as they can't stand being inconvenienced at the expense of the progression and good of the rest of mankind…maybe.”