Newsletter Number Eight. May 2006.
The SoS Newsletters are 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 Green Amps propose to erect at Withymoor Farm, (grid reference SO:674. 241). We also aim to provide some general information about wind turbines and renewable energy.
The Continuing Story.
There is still no official communication from Green-Amp’s CEO Nick Brown. However, we continue to monitor the Green-Amp plans for similar developments across Gloucestershire.
SoS gave a report to the Aston Ingham Village Open Meeting on 8 May outlining activities since we were formed in September 2005 and explaining our strategy for the future. To this end this issue of the Newsletter includes our second article highlighting renewable energy projects that really can make a difference – this month we consider heat pumps – a visually neutral way of reducing CO2 emissions.
The image below reminds us of the size of the turbines and their Visual impact on the countryside 
A Carter Turbine similar to The Green Amps proposal, being erected in the USA
SoS on the Web.
SoS has created a Weblog aka: A Blog. The address is http://www.southerefordshiresos.blogspot.com/
The site has back copies of the newsletter, and provides links to other sites and receives comments directly online (click on the comment box at the bottom of the article you wish to comment on).
Tranquillity Questionnaire.
CPRE (Campaign to Protect Rural England) is working on a project to measure tranquillity across the whole of England. It has created an online survey which asks visitors to identify characteristics which enhance or detract from the experience of tranquillity. The survey should only take a few moments to complete. It asks you to say what tranquillity means to you, and to choose the 3 most important characteristics which enhance your experience of tranquilly. Complete the tranquillity survey at http://www.cpre.org.uk/campaigns/landscape-and-beauty/tranquil-areas/tranquillity-survey-2006.asp
What the Papers Say.
Why the wind-merchants feed us sky-high figures for their machines. By Christopher Booker. The Sunday Telegraph. 30th April 2006.
In a week when planning permission was given in Scotland for "Europe's largest windfarm", 140 giant turbines covering more than 30 square miles of the hills south of Glasgow, it might seem odd to focus on a proposal for one solitary turbine on the hills of Somerset where I live.
But last week - when I took part in a public inquiry for the first time - it highlighted the reckless way in which the handful of developers who are enjoying a massive bonanza from these turbines can distort the evidence for their supposed benefits. At issue was whether Ecotricity, a firm run by a self-proclaimed "planet saving" eco-zealot, one Dale Vince, who has become a millionaire through building windfarms, should be allowed to erect a turbine 335ft tall, to the top of a rotor blade, in the middle of an unspoiled plateau running along the top of the Mendip hills north of Wells.
As chairman of the group which has led opposition to this proposal - eventually supported by Mendip district council - I pointed out to the inquiry that there would normally be no question of allowing an industrial installation on this scale in such a landscape, next to an Area of 
Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and visible for 20 miles.
But this is a wind turbine, and thanks to John Prescott's notorious planning policy statement, PPS22, it is Government policy that the ecological need for wind power is so great that normal planning considerations may be overruled.
The developers had built their case on three claims: the amount of electricity their machine would generate, how many homes it would supply, and the carbon dioxide emissions it would save. I presented the inquiry with a paper comparing these claims with official figures, to show how each had been exaggerated to a quite laughable degree.
Measured against figures from the Department for Trade and Industry, I argued that the power the developers claimed their turbine would produce was exaggerated by 52 per cent. As for the number of homes the turbine would "power", even when compared with figures from the British Wind Energy Association, the wind industry's own lobbying organisation, the developers' claim was exaggerated by 116 per cent. And the saving in CO2 emissions, measured against the formula devised by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was overstated by a staggering 250 per cent.
I put it to the inspector that it is a fundamental principle of planning practice that any proposal supported by figures which can be shown to be misleading must either be resubmitted or refused outright. On these grounds alone, I argued, Mendip's decision to reject the plan should be upheld.
It really cannot do the wind industry's cause any good when its case has to be supported by such fiddled statistics. There is a growing number of people who have now examined the hard facts of wind power (which we must all subsidise through our electricity bills), and concluded that, neither on energy efficiency nor environmental grounds, does it have any case whatever. The "Great Wind Scam", I have observed before, is one of the most successful hoaxes of our age.
I cannot know yet whether we have saved the Mendips. But certainly, for all those Glaswegians who have just lost their nearest 30 square miles of beautiful, unspoiled countryside for no benefit except to the developers, we can have nothing but sympathy.
BANK DEALT HEAVY BLOW TO WIND TURBINE PLANS. Gloucestershire Echo 8th May.
Plans to put up wind turbines across Gloucestershire have stalled after the company behind the scheme was denied a crucial bank loan. Energy firm Green Amps wants to put 28 Turbines on nine sites in the Cotswolds.
Planning applications for the turbines were supposed to have been submitted by January. But Nick Brown, chief executive of Green Amps says HSBC put his business in jeopardy by withdrawing its offer of a loan. The search for alternative finance has delayed the scheme by at least two months. Mr Brown, who wanted the turbines up by the summer, is considering legal action against HSBC.
He said the loan, part of a government scheme, was originally granted but then the Department of Trade and Industry ruled Green Amps was ineligible. The DTI later changed its mind but by then HSBC had withdrawn its support. Mr Brown said: “By the time we went back to the bank, we were told we couldn’t have the money, even though we had the DTI’s support. It put the whole business in jeopardy. Mr Brown is hoping a venture capital firm will save his company. “Fortunately, there was a surge in energy stocks and that attracted the interest of a venture capital firm. If not for that, we’d be at risk of going out of business.”
Green Amps hopes to lodge an application with Cotswold District Council by the end of May. It has made an official complaint to the DTI as part of a submission to the Government’s energy review. It is the latest controversy to dog a scheme that has drawn widespread criticism from residents. Campaigners say the huge wind turbines will blight the Cotswold countryside. Farmers at three of the sites have pulled out because of the strength of opposition form neighbours.
In December a ballot in Brockhampton found 65% of residents opposed the idea. Green Amp wants to put 14 pairs of turbines in Twyning, Somerford Keynes, Fairford, Hardwicke, Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper Rissington, Col St-Aldwyns, Stinchcombe, Brockhampton and Longborough.
Renewable Energy:
The Alternatives investigated by SoS member Chris Tormey.
In the last Newsletter, I discussed the merits of Solar Energy. This month, I want to introduce the concept of Ground Source Heat Pumps. This article explains what they are, how they are used to reduce CO2 emissions and who you can contact for further advice on installation and available grants.
What is a Heat pump? Heat pumps harness energy from the ground, water or air and upgrade it for space heating. By harnessing this resource, a Heat Pump uses less energy than a typical heating system to provide the same amount of heat. As a Heat Pump uses less energy it also has lower CO2 emissions, a typical Heat Pump system (running on mains electricity) causes 40% less CO2 emissions than an equivalent oil boiler. If you can operate your Heat Pump with green electricity then your central heating system becomes 100% renewable and totally free of CO2 emissions.
How does it work? It works on the same principles as a refrigerator. In a refrigerator heat is removed from the cooled area and ‘dumped’ into the outside area. A Heat Pump removes heat from the preferred sources (soil, water, air) and delivers it at an enhanced temperature to the required space. In general for every 1kW input a Heat Pump will deliver 3kW of heat. In some cases in can be as good a 5:1. (Ref: Severn Wye Energy Agency. Tel: 01594 545366, Email: cri@swea.co.uk)
Is it ‘Green’? Even though a heat pump could provide 100% space and hot water heat requirements for a home, only 60-75% of the energy needed for the system comes from the ground and is renewable, the other 25-30% is in the form of electricity and is only renewable if it is generated from a renewable source too.
What do they cost? A ground source Heat Pump system for a typical three bedroom semi-detached house will cost from £4000 to £6,000. In order to reduce costs potential owners consider digging collector trenches themselves or a borehole.
When linked with under floor heating Heat Pumps are most efficient and have very low running costs. A Heat Pump will have an expected life of around 20 years, similar to a conventional boiler, and the ground loops or boreholes have expected life spans of 125 years.
The payback period can be as short as 2-3 years.
Contact details for further Information
Heat Pump Association (HPA) Tel: 01491 578674. www.feta.co.uk/hpa
International Energy Agency Heat Pump Centre (HPC) http://www.heatpumpcentre.org/
Grants For Renewable Technologies.
Help is at hand if you want to move to, renewable energy resources and energy efficiency in your home. The DTI's Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) will provide grants for renewable technologies for individuals (stream one). For more information go to: http://www.est.org.uk/myhome/generating/application/
The programme will run over three years, starting from 1st April 2006 and replaces DTI's Clear Skies and Solar PV programmes, which closed for applications on the 31st March 2006. The programme is UK wide (apart from the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and will demonstrate how energy efficiency and micro generation will work hand in hand to create low carbon buildings. Micro generation is the stand alone generation of low carbon heat and/or electricity which for example, could be through solar photovoltaic panels.If you would like to talk to someone about the programme call the free phone helpline on 0800 915 7722.
Energy Efficiency. There are a number of energy efficiency measures that you must undertake before you are eligible to apply for a grant under the low carbon buildings programme which runs from 1st April 2006 for three years. These measures will ensure that you are minimising your energy requirements and are as follows:
a. You have a minimum of 270mm of loft insulation to meet current building regulations, where practicable - e.g. 270mm of mineral wool.
b. Installed cavity wall insulation (if you have cavity walls)c. Using low energy light bulbs in all appropriate light fittingsd. Installed basic controls for your heating system to include a room thermostat and a programmer or timer. SoS recommend that you complete a home energy check so that you can assess which measures are most suitable for your home.
These requirements apply for whichever grant you wish to apply. See the links on our Blog site.
Useful Addresses and Web Links.
For those of you with access to a computer an excellent site about Turbines and their impact is http://www.countryguardian.net/
Link to map showing proposed location of turbines http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srfx=367433&y=224154&z=3
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 720358).
If you are interested in helping fight the Green Amp proposal at Withymoor Farm please ring Martin or Jane Bradney on 01989 750862, or e-mail hvhac@aol.com.
posted by Chris Tormey at 9:17 pm
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