In contrast to earlier reports, the proposed Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm1 has received a high level of local public support.
This news comes after a recent newsletter mailing to 4,700 residents living within a 10kilometre radius of the site. In total around 60% of those who have responded so far are in favour of the project, compared to around a third opposed.
The newsletter is part of developer, npower renewables2, public consultation process3 which included a postcard style comments card encouraging residents to make their voices heard.
Simon Holt Development Manager for npower renewables said; "We are of course delighted with the supportive response received to date. This is great news and just goes to show the public realise the need for such schemes and that a majority really are behind the scheme."
The North Devon Green Party have also been visiting local residents to promote awareness of green issues. Jon Hooper, of the North Devon Green Party, said "By visiting the villages nearest to Batsworthy Cross and calling on local residents, we've found that a large majority of local people support this scheme. Many of them spoke to us about the urgent need to tackle Climate Change and to find safer, cleaner and more secure sources of power than our current mix of Coal, Nuclear and Gas. They thought that Batsworthy Cross was a good place for a wind farm, being sparsely populated and particularly windy!"
Mr Holt went onto say; "We are continuing to speak to local residents and only last Wednesday (09th November 2005) attended a meeting at Rose Ash Village Hall. A large number of those present had concern about the scheme and we hope that such discussion will help mould the final proposal and alleviate these concerns. I'd like to reiterate, we are listening to peoples comments and we are taking them on board - so please do still drop us your comments."
Mr Holt added; "Whilst the site has been under investigation for a while, it is only now following our initial environmental studies, that we are able to realise the true potential of the area and approach the wider community with our plans. Batsworthy Cross is a fantastic site and could supply 12% of Devon's adopted target of achieving 151megawatts of installed renewable energy generation by 2010 - this is a major step especially when we consider that only 23megawatts have been installed so far."
npower renewables will be sending out a further newsletter in the coming week to address comments received, and will be following this up with a 2 day public exhibition to be held at Bishops Nympton Village Hall, from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November.
In the mean time, if anyone has any comments or suggestions about the proposed development, or if you did not receive a newsletter, you should contact Simon Holt on 0118 959 2440 or e-mail batsworthy.cross@npower-renewables.com. Alternatively write to:
Simon Holt
npower renewables
Third Floor
Reading Bridge House
Reading Bridge
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 8LS
Contact:
Patrick Spink, npower renewables
Tel: 01189 59 24 40
Notes:
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The Batsworthy Cross Wind Farm, located south of Knowstone and the A361 in North Devon, is likely to comprise up to 9 wind turbines with a total capacity of 18megawatts - that's enough to provide the equivalent energy consumed by some 8,000 homes each year, equal to a fifth of all the homes in North Devon.
- npower renewables is the UK's leading wind farm developer and operator, committed to developing and operating wind farms and hydro plant that produce sustainable and environmentally-friendly electricity. The company operates 15 wind farms in the UK, including North Hoyle Offshore Wind Farm, the first major offshore wind farm to be built in UK waters. In addition to the 267MW of installed wind energy generation that it currently operates, npower renewables also operates some 55MW of hydroelectric power. Through our parent and sister company we are also involved with co-firing biomass and a major energy efficiency programme.
- npower renewables has signed onto the South West Public Engagement Protocol for Wind Energy, which has been developed by the RegenSW - A copy of the protocol can be found at http://www.regensw.co.uk/press/docs-info.asp?catid=23&id=148.
Press Release
