Green power must not destroy Cotswolds (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Green power must not destroy Cotswolds

GREEN energy sources in the Cotswolds must not be allowed to spoil the natural beauty of the area, according to a new report.

The Cotswold Conservation Board this week voiced its support for green power, but warned any development must compliment the landscape.

It says the need to protect the countryside for future generations has to come before plans for large scale wind farms and biomass incineration plants.

The board is now advising planning authorities that protecting the Cotswolds' Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is essential when considering any large scale green power projects.

Niel (cor) Curwen, chairman of the Conservation Board, said: "The board wishes to make clear that it is not against renewable energy development in the Cotswolds. However, it does wish to provide guidance on which types of technology are likely to be acceptable in this beautiful area.

"Other than large scale wind farms of biomass incinerators, there are likely to be many other types of energy generation which are of small enough scale to fit into the landscape."

Mr Curwen added the board believes it should be possible to make an acceptable contribution to green energy targets by using technology appropriate to the countryside.

Cotswold District Councillor Christine Eatwell agreed with the board's recommendations.

She said: "Fundamentally I agree with what they are saying but there are areas outside the AONB that need to be protected as well. I feel that we are jumping on an environmental bandwagon, that we must do everything to protect the environment.

"If we are not careful we could have pockets of wind farms popping up around the countryside without getting a lot of environmental benefit for it.

"Once the Cotswolds are gone that's it. Once we allow this to happen there is no going back so it is crucial to work out how we protect what we have."

The Cotswold Conservation Board is now set to compile a study into the different types of renewable energy available to help work out which types of green energy are most appropriate for the district.