Residents hand in petition against wind turbines

2:47pm Monday 21st July 2008

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RESIDENTS campaigning against a planning application for three wind turbines have presented a petition to the local authority.

Eileen and David Watson, and Tanya and Paul Davies, all residents of Earthcott Green, have presented a petition of more than 350 signatures, campaigning against an application to build three wind turbines in their village.

The application, made by green-energy company Ecotricity, is expected to go before South Gloucestershire’s planning chiefs later this summer.

The angry residents presented the petition to Matthew Riddle, South Gloucestershire Council's executive member for community care and housing, on Monday morning.

Mr Watson said: "This petition demonstrates the level of local opposition to this proposed development from the residents of Earthcott Green and the people who live and work within the local parishes of Alveston, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell, Iron Acton and Almondsbury.

"The signatories object to the location of this commercial development within the protected green belt."

Cllr Riddle said: "I am in favour of wind power in principle as we do need to produce electricity without burning oil, gas or coal.

"However, I do share local residents concerns about the effect on the green belt.

"One purpose of the green belt is to keep the openness of the countryside in these areas. These very high structures will clearly compromise the openness of the green belt."

Alveston and Frampton Cotterell Parish Councils recently voted to object to the wind turbine application.

Dale Vince, managing director of Ecotricity, said: "I think the people of Alveston and the surrounding area should try and think bigger picture.

"How are we going to keep the lights on in the future? How are our children and grandchildren going to maintain the life style we are used to?

"As a country we have run out of gas and oil and because of this we are facing bigger energy bills.

"As far as affecting the green belt I would say these are three turbines planned for a field that is already full of pylons."