Newsletter Number Four. Jan 2006

The SoS Newsletter is produced to keep the communities of Aston Ingham, Aston Crews, Gorsley, Kilcot and Linton informed about the status of the 2 x 56 metre (183ft) Wind-Turbines, each the height of Nelson’s column which are proposed at Withymoor Farm, (grid reference SO:674. 241). We also aim to provide some general information about wind turbines.

The Continuing Story. As previously reported in Newsletter number 3, the next event should have been the flying of the Balloon to represent the height of the Turbines (183ft). This is required for the photomontages which are needed for the Impact Assessments. You may recall that Green Amp’s CEO Mr Brown told Theo Cracknell of Withymoor Farm this would be undertaken just before Christmas (as reported in the Aston Ingham PC minutes for November). Once again Mr Brown has failed to keep his word and now seems not only to treat those that oppose him with contempt, but also his business associates.

The Withymoor farm turbines threat is part of a bigger scheme to install 42 turbines at 18 sites principally in Gloucestershire many of these are in AONBs in the Cotswolds. Gloucestershire, as well as Herefordshire, have confirmed that no planning applications have been received from Green Amps BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ISSUE HAS GONE AWAY. On the contrary, Green Amps have indicated in the press (see “What the Papers Say”) that “across the board planning applications” will be filed at the end of January / early February.

We have contacts with other campaign groups opposing Green Amps at some of the proposed sites in Gloucestershire and can confirm Green Amps has also failed to supply dates for flying their balloons. Like us, they are asking all residents to keep a look out for signs of these balloons which will only be flown for about 2 hours and advance notification is unlikely. So, if you spot a balloon at Withymoor farm, please contact one of the SoS committee members immediately. Telephone numbers can found at the end of this newsletter.

At one of the proposed sites in Gloucestershire, Sevenhampton, the villagers had a vote which was organised by the Electoral Reform Society. Now those that attended the September meeting at Gorsley Village Hall may remember that Mr Brown promised “That if the majority of people don’t want them he’ll go away.” Well it turns out the villages at Sevenhampton want him to go away. The results of the vote were reported on their website as:
"Village says NO to turbines in ballot.
The Villagers of Sevenhampton have given an emphatic thumbs down to two wind turbines in the parish. They were asked in a ballot if they would be in favour of the proposal to put up the turbines which would stand about 183ft high in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Over 300 ballot papers were issued in the postal ballot, conducted by the Electoral Reform Services on behalf of Sevenhampton Parish Council. More than 75% were returned. The voting was almost two to one against the proposal with 79 in support and 150 against.
The Parish Council will now be opposing very strongly the plans and will be writing to Cotswold District Council requesting a meeting with them to discuss their policy in the light of the ballot result. The Parish Council will also be writing to the farmer concerned.
The Parish Council will inform Nick Brown of Green Amps (the firm who want to install the turbines) of the emphatic ballot result particularly as Mr Brown has been reported as saying that if the local community does not want his turbines he would withdraw the proposal.
Mrs Lesley Ball, Chairman of the Parish Council, said "The Parish Council hopes that this successful exercise in local democracy will draw a line under this issue."

However, it seems that Mr Brown has an elastic idea about what “local democracy” and “a majority” opposed to the turbines actual means. As reported in the Gloucestershire Echo 15th Dec: Mr Brown has engaged the services of a Market Research Company and undertaken a Telephone Poll of people within a 10 mile radius of another turbine site at Miserden in Gloucestershire. It seems that in this survey, a total of 53.8% of those questioned were in favour of the scheme, with 18.9% of people opposed. However local Miserden residents said this was not representative of those living in the immediate locality. No one seems aware of what questions were asked or the number or locations of the people who took part.

So it seems Mr Brown continues playing games and spinning (like his turbines) a story of support for his turbine plans. However, people are starting to realise that the contribution of his turbines will be minimal in terms of energy saving and global warming, but in terms of profit, Mr Brown has admitted he will make £12K per turbine each year. So based on his initial proposal of 21 pairs of turbines, that’s £24K x 21 = £504K each year for the next 5 years. A massive £2.5 million profit and this money comes from the additional charges levied by the government on all consumers and paid straight to wind turbine operators. So not only are we expected to live with these blots on the landscape we have to pay Mr Brown for the privilege. No wonder he’s so keen to get the turbines installed.

What the Papers Say.
“TURBINES – I WANT 100 MORE” Gloucester Echo 2nd January 2006.
Energy firm boss Nick Brown wants to more than double the number of wind turbines being put up across Gloucestershire. The controversial entrepreneur has already announced he is going to apply for permission for 28 turbines in January and aims to have them up by March. Now his firm, Green Amps, plans to extend the programme with applications for as many as 100 extra turbines later in the year.
The structures have been criticised by campaigners who say they will be a blight on the landscape and will ruin natural beauty spots. Mr Brown, Green Amps’ chief executive, insists the majority of people feel strongly about the issue of climate change that the turbines must be built. He said farmers had flooded him with requests to site turbines on their land in exchange for cash. Mr Brown said: “Even with these turbines going up there’s plenty more we can do in Gloucestershire. “I would be surprised if there were fewer than 40 or 50 pairs by the time we have finished. “There have been a large number of people coming forward” Mr Brown said the meetings he held across Gloucestershire this year had shown him how important climate change was to people. He said: “There would seem to be a clear message that we need to do more of what we’re doing now. People across the county are worried about climate change. “The anti-turbine lobby is a small minority. In all the meetings we’ve had, we’ve only had 50 letters.
Brian Taylor, who lives in Sandy Lane, Charlton Kings, said doubling the number of turbines would have twice the blight on the county’s landscape. A member of the Gloucestershire branch of the Ramblers association, Mr Taylor said tourism would be affected. “It’s going to ruin the landscape and will have a detrimental effect” he said “Who wants to go for walks in the Cotswolds when all they’re going to see is turbines? “I’m strongly against the idea of wind turbines in Gloucestershire” “They’re ineffective because they make little impression on the issue of sustainability”.
Mr Brown said the second round of turbines would come next summer. He said the potential sites would be known by July. Green Amps propose to have 34 turbines operating in the county by April. Farmers at three of the sites have pulled out because of the strength of public opposition from neighbours.
The initial programme of turbines will be put forward for sites including Brockhampton, Twyning, Somerford Keynes, Fairford, Hardwicke, Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Longborough, Upper Rissington, Coln St-Aldwyns and Stinchcombe
Mr Brown says 32 farmers have come forward at public meetings to host extra turbines “Even with these turbines going up there’s plenty more we can do in Gloucestershire” said Nick Brown.

The Action Group leading the SOS campaign is chaired by Jane Bradney (01989 750862). Other members are Steven Burns, Chris Tormey (01989 720861).and Lesley Rackley (01989 720857).

If you are interested in helping fight this proposal please ring Martin or Jane Bradney on 01989 750862. hvhac@aol.com.