Archive for the ‘Press’ Category

Planning application submitted for Dengie wind farm

Monday, March 28th, 2011

A PLANNING application has been submitted for a seven-turbine wind farm.

Energy company RES has submitted its plans for the wind farm, on Turncole Farm, between Burnham and Southminster.

Each turbine is planned to be up to 126metres high and it is proposed to generate enough power to provide electricity for 7,600 homes.

The company has pledged to allocate about £25,000 per year to compensate the community around Southminster, Asheldham and Burnham.

Wind power generates almost 10% of the UK’s power

Friday, September 10th, 2010

Earlier this week the amount of UK energy generated from wind power came close to 10% of the total output.

According to data from the National Grid, production of electricity from wind reached the marker on Monday (September 6)

(more…)

Wind farm debate

Monday, June 14th, 2010

A debate on the proposed Middlewick Wind Farm took place at St Peter’s High School, Burnham-on-Crouch on Monday 14th June. It was broadcast live by local radio station Saint FM, which will be playing repeats until 28th June.

The station has made the broadcast available via their website, but this is no longer available. However, a copy of the recording is now available here.

The debate was chaired by John Cassels.

The developers, Ridgewind, were represented by:

  • John Fairlie, Director of Engena
  • Peter Newland, Independent Consultant in Planning Policies
  • Nigel Goodhew, Ridgewind Director and Project Manager of Middlewick

and on the panel for the anti-windfarm campaign group SIEGE were:

  • Jane Davis
  • Robin Prior
  • Pip Thorogood
  • Neil Yates

SOUTHMINSTER: Losing windfarm will cost area millions, say businessmen

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

THE COUNTY’S business people have stepped into the controversy surrounding the Middlewick wind farm – and given the project their backing.

The Essex Chambers of Commerce is urging Maldon District Council to give the proposed wind farm the go-ahead and claims that millions of pounds could be lost to the economy if it is not given the green light..

Developer RidgeWind has submitted a planning application for nine turbines to be installed at a site approximately 3km east of Southminster for 25 years only.

Essex Chambers of Commerce Managing Director Denise Rossiter said: “After closely examining the application, we have given it our full backing due to the vast economic, community and environmental benefits we believe the project will bring to the area.”

It has been estimated that £5 million will come into the local economy during the nine months it will take to build the wind farm. The construction and hospitality industries particularly stand to benefit.

“The developers are keen to use as many local suppliers as possible – therefore the gravel, concrete and so on, will all come from Essex firms. The contractors will need places to stay, eat and be entertained whilst the construction takes place.”

There will also be direct investment into the local community from RidgeWind.

“Local people will really feel the benefit of the wind farm as RidgeWind contributes funds from its own coffers into Community Benefit Schemes.

“Based on their proposal for nine turbines, then the Middlewick fund is going to be around £54,000 per year for the 25 years of the wind farm.”

She added, “The Essex Chambers of Commerce will do all they can to help the Middlewick windfarm get the green light.”

Supporters and protesters to go head-to-head on Saint FM

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Windfarm supporters and protesters are being given the opportunity to go head-to-head in an hour-long radio debate.

Developer RidgeWind has submitted an application to build a nine-turbine farm – now commonly known as the Middlewick windfarm – three kilometres east of Southminster.

Representatives from Ridgewind and Siege (Southminster Inhabitants Environmental Group Enterprise) will both be on the panel in front of a live studio audience.

Saint FM, the Maldon district’s community radio station, will host the debate on June 14 from 7.30pm at St Peter’s High School, Southminster Road, Burnham.

The debate will be recorded and played on the radio – 94.7fm – on various times in the following week.

To be a part of the studio audience, call 01621 787829 or e-mail sandra.martin@saintfm.org.uk

Pro wind farm group set up in Burnham

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

By Adam Cornell

A PRO wind farm group has been set up in Burnham.

Residents Patti Kyrnza and Lauren Hartley have set up Middlewick WoW (Wonder of Wind) to challenge Siege – Southminster Inhabitants Environmental Group Enterprise.

The pair have accused Siege – which campaigns against wind farms in the Dengie Peninsula – of scaremongering and have now set up the new lobbying group as a direct response.

For the full story see this week’s Standard.

Let’s run school on the wind!

Tuesday, April 10th, 2007

A SCHOOL could power itself if plans for a wind turbine prove successful.

Blenheim Primary School, in Leigh, is applying for permission to put up a 15m mast with wind turbine on the school grounds.

It is further proof of the school’s commitment to the environment since it joined the Eco-Schools programme, which promotes teaching children about the environment.

The programme also encourages schools to adopt a turbine for their energy needs.

Allison Ellis, spokeswoman for Eco-Schools, said: “The school could become self-sustainable when it comes to electricity.

“One wind turbine can provide enough electricity required for one school.

“If it produces more than they need, they could even sell it back to the national grid. It depends on their location and how much wind there is.

“There are already a number of schools where a wind turbine produces all the energy they need.”

Ms Ellis said a turbine was great for education.

She said: “Children have to learn there is a limit to the valuable resources on our earth and the importance of looking at renewable energy sources.

“A wind turbine is a fantastic way to do it.”

Small wind turbines are becoming more popular as a way to produce electricity.

Marks and Spencer, in High Street, Southend, plan to install three wind turbinea on their roof as part of its ongoing refurbishment.

In 2004, Rayleigh man David Nisbet broke the mould when he became the first person in south Essex to install a 9m wind turbine in his yard to power his home.

Wind turbines: the worst case

Wednesday, May 17th, 2006

A WIND farm planned for Bradwell could be seen from virtually every village in the Dengie Peninsula – and for miles beyond.

The turbines may even be visible from further away than Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford and Southend.

A diagram included with documents provided to Maldon District Council by applicants Npower Renewables sows the tip of the huge structures would be seen from more than 20 miles in any direction.

But it does not take into account vegetation and other structures which may impair the view.

Npower Renewables spokesman, Michael Pullan, said because of the way it was created, the diagram was “an unrealistic, worst case image”.

The planning application asks for permission to install ten three-bladed turbines at Hockley Farm, Hockley Lane.

If given the go-ahead, a sub-station, anemometer mast, electrical equipment compound and a temporary construction compound would also be constructed.

The turbines, which have a “design life” of 20 to 25 years, would produce enough electricity for up to 10,600 homes.

Mark Jackson, development control officer at the council, said the turbines would be the biggest that can be safely designed, installed and maintained.

He said the wind farm application is one of the larges officers have dealt with in years.

Former chief planning officer Clive Tokley has been recruited to sift through the mountains of paperwork required.

Officers from other council departments are also involved.

Mr Jackson said: “I cannot remember an application this big. Very few are submitted with an environmental impact assessment.”

It is expected that Mr Tokley may spend up to 70 hours working on the case, while a similar figure could be clocked up by district council officers.

Mr Jackson said the total cost of dealing with the case would not be known until councillors have made their final decision but it would be a “considerable expense to the council”.

The application is likely to be considered by the council’s south east area planning committee on June 12, and then by a special planning and licensing committee in July.

The 16-week deadline for making a decision on the case is in August.

More turbines, less view

Wednesday, September 28th, 2005

Isle of Grain refinery

FARM LAND: The Isle of Grain refinery site, above, where BP wants to build a wind farm similar to the one off the Southend shore, top

PLANS for a second wind farm off the Southend coast have sparked fears the famous Thames view could be ruined.

BP aims to create 14 giant wind turbines at its vacant refinery on the Isle of Grain.

If planners back the move, the 160-metre windmills will compliment those already seen at the mouth of the estuary to the east.

A spokesman for BP said the turbines are likely to power 12,500 homes.

Prof Bernard de Neumann, chairman of the Leigh Cliff Association, called on anyone interested to attend a public exhibition at Grain Village Hall, in Chapel Road, on Friday September 20, from 11.00am to 9.00pm.

“This wind farm will affect views over the estuary markedly if it proceeds,” he said.

BP said talks were ongoing with bird and other wildlife groups about the impact of the turbines on the environment.

If approved it will be the first BP backed farm in the UK, although the firm already has two in the Netherlands.

The island refinery closed in the early 1980s and has been used as a fuel storage site ever since.

The BP spokesman said the firm was keen to move into developing its “renewables ” business further. Wind and solar energies are seen as more profitable as fossil fuels continue to become more expensive to recover.

The spokesman added: “If we can produce more renewable power we hope its something we can offer our customers.”

Farm could draw the tourists

Wednesday, June 29th, 2005

OPINION

Farm could draw the tourists

THE world’s biggest windfarm is proposed and Councillor Garston (in charge of sustainable Southend) is lukewarm about it because it may not benefit Southend!

Has he heard of eco-tourism, people have been cruising out to see the wartime forts for 50 years, imagine how many people would come to Southend to cruise the majestic sight of 270 wind turbines.

Essex’s reputation would rise worldwide and the power industry will beat a path to our door to find out more.

The pollution saved by the wind farm will contribute to the worlds air becoming more breathable and inspired by our example, such farms will be built all over the globe.

Richard Faraway
Sunrise Healthfoods
Hockley

Monstrosity of turbines will spoil scenery for all

THE question of having wind farms and erecting wind turbines is being discussed more and more.

Some areas in Britain do not want monstrous tall turbines built in beautiful scenic areas, in hill-top or seaside locations.

Recently people have erected them in their own back gardens much to their neighbours annoyance because of the noise and the height of the towers.

Wind turbines need not be tall and noisy.

Former Soviet weapons scientists have developed turbines that are almost silent and of a size that could be fitted on top of houses, supplementing existing power supplies.

This group are developing a turbine where the blades revolve around the vertical axis and is much shorter portable and requires little maintenance.

This means the turbines would be less visible and less noisy than the present ones we have.

British companies should be looking at all types of designs that would make the presently designed tall towers less than half the size they are.

This would give villages and towns like Southend more clean power without spoiling the scenery and the environment around us.

John Anderson
Canvey Independent Party
Councillor for Canvey Central

Tidal power will beat the wind

I DO NOT know what all the fuss is about with an offshore wind farm when we have abundant, controllable energy from tidal power on our own doorstep which is not subject to the whims of the wind.

All that’s needed is a new seawall before the Thames’ deep water commences stretching from Canvey to the other side of the pier to form a lido/lagoon.

With two tides of trapped water a day and by the use of turbines set in the wall there would be sufficient electrical power to serve the whole of Southend.

If the wall were to be constructed as a future flood barrier and wide enough for a dual tolled carriageway with locks for yachts and fishermen, an added benefit would be to relieve traffic congestion around the town without impingement on the landward side.

In 1997 this multimillion pound scheme, detouring from the Saddlers Farm roundabout via Canvey, was proposed as a Millenium Project but the Governemnt preferred a more expensive pleasure dome.

Ed Jackman
The Leas
Westcliff

[wewantawindfarm.org thinks this is a ghastly idea, almost as damaging as building a nuclear power station on Two Tree Island]

Windfarm is what we need

OBJECTORS to the proposed huge windfarm in the Thames Estuary should think about the alternatives.

On the one hand, if the Greenland ice cap melts, seas will rise by seven metres and we won’t have a Foreshore from which to admire the view.

On the other hand, the front runners are either wind power or nuclear power. From even a NIMBY point of view, the great advantage of wind power is that it is not only cheaper but, when finished with, can be dismantled. We would be stuck with nuclear power stations for at least 30 years and with their deadly waste for virtually forever, And we still haven’t found a safe haven for the last 50 years’ worth.

One can understand those wanting to preserve our view over the Thames but I would think their wrath would be better directed at the giant chimney of the disused power station opposite us on the Isle of Grain dominating the entire landscape, rather than a few dots on the horizon to the east.

John West
Secretary
Southend and District CND