Amendments to wind farm strategy (From Salisbury Journal)

Amendments to wind farm strategy

12:42pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in Letters

THERE has been much comment about Wiltshire Council's recent amendment to its Core Strategy for future development of wind farms. I would like to enlighten your readers on the background.

It is intended that controls should be placed on wind farms to prevent them from being built too close to homes.

For example, in the case of very large turbines there should be a separation distance of 2,000 metres (about 1.25 miles) between a turbine and a house (as is presently the case in Scotland).

Everyone knows that there are serious doubts the effects of these giant industrial machines on people living nearby.

The amendment was triggered by a pending proposal for three 130m (427ft) high turbines on a 100fthigh hill at West Ashton, Trowbridge, which would be within a few hundred metres of several homes.

Within a 2,000m radius of the site are four villages, which would be dominated and their character ruined. It is only right that the council is seeking to protect the interests of ordinary people, and all of us living in villages and small towns in Wiltshire should be most grateful.

Perhaps your village will be next to be targeted by the greedy, often foreign, wind farm developers who are intent on exploiting the planning system for their own profit.

Don't forget that 130m is higher than Salisbury Cathedral spire, and that future turbines may be even larger As a separate issue, wind farms will destroy our wonderful heritage Wiltshire countryside, and views from beauty spots such as Westbury White Horse will never be the same again.

A further question is the impact on house prices - would you buy a house near a wind farm? The Core Strategy amendment is out to public consultation.

It is vital that you make your views known, as without maximum public support now for the council's amendment, it may be rejected at a future public inquiry.

Please send your comments to Spatial Planning, Economy and Regeneration, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wilts. BA14 8JD, or email spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk.

In either case, give your name, full address, and contact details, and quote Proposed Change No. 180.

Full details of the amendment itself can be found on the webpage Wiltshire Core Strategy Focussed Consultation.

IAN WELCH Westbury