Wind farm plans for the Cotswolds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Wind farm plans for the Cotswolds

SUSTAINABLE energy could be coming to the Cotswolds through controversial plans to create wind farms within the district.

The Marlborough-based company Future Wind is looking into a number of sites around Gloucestershire to place wind turbines, including six potential areas in the Cotswolds.

Currently the exact locations under consideration are being kept a closely guarded secret but this week it has been revealed that the village of Kemble Wick is one site being closely looked at.

The news has alarmed local residents who fear the move could knock thousands off the value of their homes.

If the plans are successful two turbines will be built on farmland near Kemble Wick.

The turbines, which are 40 metres tall, with 52 metre blades, are capable of creating enough electricity to power 440 houses.

Nick Brown, chief executive of Future Wind, explained the process for building wind farms was rigorous and involved many stages of consultation.

Although projects in Gloucestershire were in the early pre-consultation period, he confirmed: "There is a site near Kemble."

Other concerns of residents include the noise and visual impact any turbines might bring to the area.

However Nick Brown insisted his company produced friendly turbines, which are smaller, more efficient and less noisy than other turbines.

The turbines are also built in pairs to reduce the effect on the countryside. He said: "Our strategy is basically to remove the impact on the environment."

Mr Brown also spoke of the benefits that wind farms can bring to small communities such as Kemble. He pointed out that having turbines in the village almost eliminated the possibility of power cuts.

He said: "The problem with power cuts is if you lose the power because of the cable you lose the community. There is not a lot you can do, it has to be repaired.

"If you have got local generation going on the village can still be powered while the repairs are going on."

David Ball, vice chairman of Kemble Parish Council, explained the parish council had not yet been made aware of the plans.

He said: "Without knowing the extent of the proposals it's very difficult to comment other than we would have concerns about it if it was a major planning application affecting Kemble and the surrounding area."

Mr Brown explained his company had sent out letters to farm owners in Gloucestershire last year about the possibility of having wind farms on their land.

Across the county they had 22 replies, six of which were within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Out of the 22 possible sites Future Wind are hoping one third will prove successful.

Mr Brown said: "We will be quite happy if we get six to go through."

Future Wind will now complete their statutory consultation process before discussing any plans with the appropriate parish councils should the Kemble site prove successful.

It is only after extensive public consultation that a planning application will be made.