Storm over wind farms will remain (From The Argus)

Storm over wind farms will remain

12:27pm Wednesday 25th January 2012 in Comment and Analysis By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

Sir David Attenborough at the launch of the Glyndebourne wind turbine Buy this photo »

Glyndebourne's efforts at sustainability are crowned by a solitary wind turbine rising out of the South Downs.

But across Sussex – and off our coast – there are plans for increasing numbers of wind farms.

The biggest planned wind farm would be in the sea just off Brighton and Hove’s coast and would be capable of powering 430,000 homes.

Energy firm E.On was awarded the exclusive right to build the large offshore wind farm in January 2010 and has been planning environmental and engineering surveys ahead of applying for formal consent this year.

Other projects in the county include Shoreham Port enlisting the help of energy management company MITIE with the hope of installing turbines at the south side of the harbour.

However similar plans proposed in the 1990s hit the brakes because of local opposition.

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin has spoken out about concerns over the potential noise from the spinning blades.

Claims

Turbines suggested as part of the PortZED eco housing project have also been halted and the eco-project is now expected to push ahead with alternative ways of staying carbon neutral.

According to the wind energy trade body RenewableUK, there are currently more than 3,500 turbines in the country, creating enough energy to power more than 3 million homes.

The increase in use of wind power has cut the total amount of carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere by more than 6million tonnes in the UK, it has been claimed.

But if wind power is so great, why do these projects keep being knocked back?

The Campaign for National Parks and the South Downs Society spoke out against the Glyndebourne turbine.

The main criticism from Ruth Chambers, deputy chief executive of the Campaign for National Parks, could be considered more nimbyism than ideological objection.

Describing the 67 metre tall post as a “blot” on the South Downs Ms Chambers said: “The turbines absolutely have to be built somewhere but not on one of our most attractive landscapes.”

The other objection raised by residents is about the noise of the wind rushing between the powerful blades.

But as well as the debate over the appearance of turbines, there is a far more pertinent discussion about exactly how much power they are capable of generating.

'Folly'

The South Downs Society said that “Glyndebourne’s folly” centred on the turbine only creating small amounts of power.

The society’s planning officer Steve Ankers said: “The debate is not about whether one thinks turbines are attractive or not.

"People accept them in the right places when we know they’re doing something worthwhile but that doesn't mean we want to see them all along the Downs escarpment, particularly if they’re little more than symbols.

"Glyndebourne has many good ways of spreading a ‘green’ message – sadly this is unlikely to be one of them.”

The opera house has said the turbine will “help it” achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral.

The arguments against the appearance may be superficial.

As Sir David pointed out, people made similar complaints when electricity pylons were first introduced and now people barely give them a second glance.

Aesthetics are always subjective. Any argument against wind turbines based on them looking ugly should be instantly discounted.

What is beautiful to one person is a monstrosity to another.

And what looks great now may be a carbuncle in just a few years time. To many the sight of the graceful white blades can be considered a thing of beauty.

Others may feel that the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is just mud and grass and fields.

While there should be some consideration to the area surrounding any new development, the most significant consideration should be on the basis of the long term benefits.

If ugly wind farms save the South Downs from becoming clogged with pollution from our reliance on fossil fuels in years to come then surely they are worthwhile.

Equally if the planned wind farm off Brighton beach can create enough electricity to power half the homes in Sussex, then even their appearance on the horizon should be inconsequential.

But with debate still raging about the exact benefits of wind power it is important that research continues into finding new ways of getting the electricity we need to lead modern lives without destroying the world around us.

Not far from the site of Glyndebourne’s turbine was an old fashioned windmill. It is unclear whether residents were upset that that was also a “blot” on the rural landscape or whether they were also concerned about the gentle flapping sound of the wind in its sails.

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