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Ecotricity Appeal! |
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It has been confirmed that Ecotricity will be appealing against the Stroud District Council Planning Committee’s decision to reject the four monstrous turbines proposed for Berkeley Vale.
This is not unexpected, however we have read through Ecotricity’s submissions and we absolutely feel that Save Berkeley Vale has a much stronger argument than they do. We are therefore determined to fight all the way.
We are currently in talks with many different people and groups so that we can pool resources and tackle the turbines head on.
Many of us were initially in favour of the turbines, believing them to be an essential part of our future. However when we looked at the facts we realised what a green smokescreen had been built up around Wind Turbines, clouding us from seeing reality. There is now a growing trend against them as members of public and the media are also realising the truth.
Wind power has no part to play in areas like Berkeley Vale where we believe it will do much more harm than good. It is for this reason that we continue to fight – for truth, and for future generations.
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Turbines Rejected by Stroud DCC |
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The Stroud District Council Planning Committee (the DCC) has turned down the turbines!
The debate on the 12th April lasted several hours and saw Members and Officers voicing arguments for both sides. However a majority of 7-2 to turn down the turbines shows the absolute strength and conviction of Councillors regarding the final decision.
It was clear that the Councillors knew turning down the turbines was not going to be universally popular, but when it came to weighing up the overall balance of fulfilling our commitment to new forms of energy against the destruction of this particular part of the country, the decision was taken that Berkeley Vale is not the place to put these monsters.
This is excellent news, and it shows that this ludicrous proposal simply does not stand up to scrutiny. Thank you to every single person who wrote letters, attended meetings and photographs, or did anything else to object to these turbines.
However the fight does not end there. Ecotricity could well take the decision to appeal. But we will fight. We have plans in place for this eventuality, and Save Berkeley Vale will not back down. We will not give up the battle and will not be intimidated.
It all comes down to the opinion shared by many Councillors – although wind energy may play some part in our future, Berkeley Vale is a totally inappropriate place to put them.
ECOTRICITY SAID:
“We attribute our planning success in large part to our Good Neighbour policy through which we only commit to build turbines where we can be sure they will be good neighbours throughout their lifetime. If we can’t be sure, we walk away.”*
…So let’s see if they live up to that by walking away! The fact that local residents and authorities don’t want them as Stinchcombe neighbours couldn’t have been made clearer now!
*http://www.ecotricity.co.uk/about/our-progress/progress-report-2008.pdf
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Information for your objections |
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Save Berkeley Vale has just completed a really successful three-day exhibition in Stinchcombe, telling people the clear facts and urging them to write objections.
REMEMBER – THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL OF DAYS LEFT TO OBJECT. DON’T WAIT – WRITE YOUR OBJECTION NOW!
See the files below for some of the information we presented at the exhibition (all Word .doc documents), or got to the ‘Objecting?’ page for information on how to write a really effective objection, and information on where to send it! The turbines can be stopped!
-Broken Ecotricity Promises
-The truth behind noise
-Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
-'Wot - no wind?'
-Issues that Ecotricity have been asked to address
-Some more facts
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BREAKING NEWS: PLANNING APPLICATION STARTS! |
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The full planning application for the four wind turbines proposed for Berkeley Vale has now gone up on the Stroud District Council website. You can view it here:
http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/planning/planning_application_detail.asp?AppRef=S.10/1638/FUL
We recommend you read it through carefully and begin thinking about how you might object, if you don't want them to ruin Berkeley Vale.
Please return to this website within the next few days, as we're going to be adding some really useful information to help you write an objection that will carry as much weight as possible. It must come from your heart to be effective, but there are a few tips to write a really powerful one that could make a difference.
Thank you - now it is time to really save Berkeley Vale.
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Nymphsfield Mast Rejected |
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Good news - the planning inspectorate has rejected Ecotricity's appeal (REF: APP/C1625/A/10/2127129) against the installation of a 90m mast adjacent to the Nymphsfield Gliding Site on air safety grounds.
This marks the end of a long standing battle between Dale Vince and Stroud District Council over safely issues relating to the close proximity of this 90m mast to the airfield.
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URGENT: Ecotricity change proposal and call meeting |
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Ecotricity have announced that the number of turbines on the Berkeley Vale Site is to be reduced from 8 to 4. The new locations are alongside the railway line. This increases the distance of the turbines from the ANOB, but they will still have an unacceptable effect on views into and out of the ANOB and conservation areas.
An exhibition of Ecotricity's proposals will be held on the 21st of May in the Prince of Wales Hotel and later in Dursley library from the Tuesday1st of June to Monday 14th of June from 12am to 7 pm.
Please make every effort to attend and make every effort to register your disapproval!
More information from us, regarding these updates, will follow soon.
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General Save Berkeley Vale Turbine News |
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There is a continuing need for vigilance and persistence in all matters, if we are to “Save Berkeley Vale” for future generations and ensure that effective and more appropriate sources of power are supported. Accordingly, the Save Berkeley Vale Group will continue to address this matter and liaise with those who share their concerns.
The extent of the consternation to the news of the initial proposal was evident in the outpouring of objections registered with the Stroud District Planning Office to the proposed monitoring mast, but this is only the first step. So your support will remain important until we have evidence and confirmation that all the plans for the Wind Turbine Park in this ill- chosen location have been dropped completely.
In recognition of this reality the Save Berkeley Vale Group has confirmed its commitment and determination to stand firm. To this end the Group has developed its organisational framework and will be seeking a broader base of support, whilst working to understand all the issues underpinning the proposal.
There are many professionals with considerable experience covering a wide range of disciplines living in the local area we will welcome any interested in helping us in such areas as Wind behavior, acoustics and health and safely, planning, ornithology etc. We also welcome support from anyone else who is able to contribute to this undertaking by contacting the website or a member of the Save Berkeley Vale Group
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Sound Monitoring Equipment |
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Ecotricity are installing sound monitoring equipment around the proposed wind farm site, if you have been approached please contact us through the email link and do not agree to let them install anything on your property without first consulting members of the group.
If you know of any sound monitoring equipment or mysterious black boxes that have been installed anywhere within 1 mile radius of the proposed development then please let us know as soon as possible. Dog walkers, please keep a look out for anything unusual on your travels
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Monitoring Mast Installed |
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Despite the welcome news on 13th October that Stroud District Development Control Committee had rejected the application for a monitoring test mast, Ecotricity subsequently submitted an appeal to the Secretary of State which they unfortunately won.
Ecotricity have now installed the mast and it can remain there for a maximum period of 18 months. After this time the mast must be completely removed from the site.
It is worth noting that the true height of these monster turbines can be judged from the height of the mast which is only 70m. The diameter of just one of the rotating turbine blades will be 80m i.e. bigger than the mast itself! The overall height of the turbine is nearly twice that of the existing mast (x1.7 mast height).
These turbines are truly monsters and must be fought.
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