Windfarm protest pulls in riders

Adam Hewitt • Published 19 Jul 2010 09:30 Comments 1 Comment

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RIDERS, cyclists and ramblers joined a protest against the windfarm planned south of the M4.

Around 60-80 campaigners joined the mobile demonstration near the Rushy Mead site off Cutbush Lane, earmarked for four of the turbines by developer Partnership for Renewables (PfR) on Reading University land.

It was organised by Householders Against Rushy Mead (Harm), who have 'renamed' the Barrett's Lane by-way near the site as 'Harm's Way' for their campaign. Committee member, Jan Heard, from Arborfield, said after the protest on Saturday morning: "We've had the chance to speak to many people today. They all staunchly support the conservation of the countryside, and like us would prefer to see renewable energy projects which do not detract from the natural environment as this one does.

"As experience from other sites shows, local residents are often put in harm's way as a result of such developments. Members of the steering committee were on hand to point out the visual impact this proposal will have on the rural area, which is a recreational hot-spot."

She said the main objections were to the turbines' visual impact, noise and safety for horses who can be bothered by the turbines, according to some equine organisations. This is denied by the British Wind Energy Association.

The campaign has had support from some Tory councillors in Earley and Shinfield, but Labour and Green Party campaigners have backed the windfarm.

Reading Friends of the Earth campaigner, John Booth, said: "Climate change threatens millions both here and abroad with death or disruption and higher costs. If we don't act urgently many of the world's poorest will be left hungry and homeless and people in the UK will be affected by rising food prices and more floods and droughts.

"We must reduce our use of fossil fuels to cut carbon emissions and our dependence on energy from abroad. On-shore wind-farms are proven technology and can quickly start to generate clean electricity.

"The Green Park turbine has demonstrated that these machines can be both quiet and elegant. We would like to see more turbines in appropriate locations - the Brewery site in South Reading should be assessed now that brewing has stopped. Wokingham's planners can make a professional judgement on the landscape and noise issues raised by HARM. The Rushy Mead proposals seem acceptable to me - the site is affected by two rows of electricity pylons and the M4 is close by to the north."

PfR also hosted public exhibitions in Earley and Arborfield this week to let people know more about the scheme. A planning application is expected later this year.

Tony Duffin, form Partnerships for Renewables, said earlier this month: "Since starting our investigations in February 2008 we have been working hard to incorporate the results of environmental, technical and consultation work into the design of any potential future development.

"Results of the detailed wind modelling work have shown that one of the turbines was likely to experience turbulence from the others making it less efficient than the other machines. Recently we therefore took the decision to remove it from our plans. This has also enabled us to increase the distance between a local byway used by horse riders and the nearest turbine.

"We have taken a great deal of care to listen to feedback from statutory bodies and local stakeholders and believe that we are close to finalising a layout that will be appropriate for the location and its neighbours.

"If results of study work continue to prove positive we hope to submit a planning application this Autumn."

He said people who could not attend the public exhibitions could call 0800 731 7395, email PfR@communityrelations.co.uk or visit www.pfr.org.uk/rushymead

Visit Harm's website at www.rushymeadharm.org

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 22 Jul 10

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adrianwindisch
9 posts
Aug 4, 22:51
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Visit the Green Park Turbine and you will see they are not a problem. You cant hear it over the road noise.

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