Wiltshire wind turbine plans to be put before public

Wiltshire Local Authority will shortly be consulting with the public on their local wind farm proposals.

At a recent Council meeting, a motion was passes whereby there will be a local restriction meaning large turbines cannot be built within 3km (1.8 miles) of any home. The Government’s Planning Inspector has said that the Council must now consult with the public on this proposed change.

Those in favour of green energy say this would significantly hamper the development of wind farms in Wiltshire.

Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall, of Chippenham renewable electricity supplier Good Energy, said: "Planning policy should be open-minded and unbiased, yet this amendment, rushed through at the 11th hour, seeks to place prejudice against one form of development at the heart of our planning system. The justification for this amendment was public safety. However there has not been a single incident, anywhere in the world, where a member of the public has been seriously injured by the normal operation of a wind turbine."