Standing tall - the nine-metre-high wind turbine in David Nisbet's Rayleigh garden has raised a few eyebrows in the neighbourhood Picture: ROB WELHAM
Well, blow me down!
By STEVE BLAAKMAN
Blade runner - chartered engineer David Nisbet hopes the wind turbine he has installed in his garden will supply all his home's electricity needs Picture: DAVE HENDERSON
AS talking points, go, you could do worse than put up a nine-metre-high wind turbine in your garden.
David Nisbet raised a few eyebrows when he had the £15,000 structure erected at the beginning of the week at his home in Downhall Park Way, Rayleigh.
The chartered engineer, 46, said he supported renewable energy and hoped by having a turbine he could help to raise awareness about it.
But Mr Nisbet admitted it had already sparked debate among his neighbours. He said: “Two of my neighbours have been very positive. Both of them were very enthusiastic. But I’m sure there are people who can’t stand it.
“I’m trying to help educate people about what will happen when energy sources run out. A wind turbine will be good for everyone.”
Mr Nisbet said he was satisfied with the way the turbine was working so far, and he hoped it would eventually generate enough to supply all the electricity and heating for his bungalow.
He said: “It seems to be working all right. It’s performing as expected.
“At the moment it looks like it’s going to deliver for the heat needs, as well.”
There were other benefits to having the standout structure, as well – long-term savings, Mr Nisbet said. He estimate the turbine would save him £1,000 a year in electricity and heating.
If that turned out to be the case, it would take only 15 years for it to pay for itself.
The turbine has raised concerns among some neighbours, who worry about its visual impact and possible noise. Others say it doesn’t bother them.
Kerry Auger, of Downhall Park Way, said: “It doesn’t really affect us. It’s not causing us any sort of disturbance. We’re not against him having it here.
“You can hear it if it’s very quiet outside, but you can’t hear it from inside.
“It’s bigger than I thought it would be, but we only really see part of the blades from our top windows.”
Another neighbour, Kim Dogrell, 40, was also a little put off by the size of the structure, commenting: “It seems extremely big, considering it is just to serve one bungalow.”