Artist's impression of proposed turbines at Woodmancott

Green Energy:
Green Landscape?

During a public inquiry into a proposed wind turbine at Glyndebourne, David Attenborough, argued that if we don't get on and generate our electricity from non-fossil fuel sources, there won't be any landscape left to protect. In the sections below, we show how CPRE, who opposed this turbine, justifies its stance.

Latest Wind Farm Proposals

French electricity giant EDF is proposing to build 14 massive wind turbines, each over 400 feet high, on the North Wessex Downs to the north of Bullington Cross, i.e. in the NE quadrant between the A34 and the A303 near Freefolk wood - about two and a half miles to the south of Overton and Whitchurch.

This would be one of the biggest wind power stations in southern England and visible as far afield as Salisbury, Southampton and Winchester.

CPRE Hampshire is opposed to this project. In our view it would be bound to have a seriously adverse impact on the special qualities and character of Hampshire's landscapes, including the setting of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and its benefits would not outweigh the adverse impacts.

Quite apart from environmental and visual objections, any carbon savings would be very limited because alternative power would still be needed when the wind is insufficient. (Wind turbines in the south of England usually produce less than one quarter of their stated capacity due to intermittence of wind supply).

Planning Applications by EDF are imminent. They will be made to the three Authorities whose land the proposals straddle - Winchester, Basingstoke and Test Valley.

Please take time and help to oppose this proposal, using the proper form at the proper time and to the proper authority. Keep Hampshire Green is an organisation quite separate from CPRE Hampshire which has been formed with the objective of opposing these Wind Turbine proposals. It is geared to keep all members informed, to advise when to make Objections, to whom to object and the form those Objections should take.

Please visit their website - www.keephampshiregreen.org - and give them your support.

Woodmancott Down Windfarm

Currently CPRE Hampshire are opposing a proposal for a medium-sized windfarm in an unspoilt part of Hampshire at Woodmancott Down. CPRE North Hampshire chairman, Peter Bedford, has written an article It's An Ill Wind (PDF) outlining the issues and opposition. He urges those who value our countryside to sign the petition of the local campaign group STOP Woodmancott Down Wind Farm (external link).

Wind Farms

The Issues

The issues around wind turbines or indeed an expansion in the number of high voltage electricity pylons that is proposed to cross the country, are as follows:

Large structures in the countryside, especially high up hills, create enermous visual intrusion
Poorly sited, they would spoil the views for miles around and detract from enjoyment of the countryside; it is perhaps unfortunate that the windiest places are usually on tops of hills, and therefore visible for long distances
The purpose of designating an area of countryside as a national park is to conserve and enhance its natural beauty
Within designated areas, Government planning guidance PPS 22 (renewable energy) requires that renewable energy development must only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that adverse effects on landscape must be clearly outweighed by the benefits.

Our Position

CPRE supports the the Government's policy of promoting the growth of renewable energy, since climate change is a major threat to the global environment, and to the character and quality of our countryside. However, this should not come at the expense of the beauty, character and tranquillity of the landscape. We support:

A greater emphasis given to offshore wind farms, particularly since average wind speeds are much higher than on land
On-shore wind turbines should be sited in less sensitive areas and of a scale appropriate to their surroundings
The exploitation of other renewable sources such as anaerobic digesters that process waste, or biomass energy production from considerable areas of largely unmanaged woodland
Reducing the demand for energy by consuming it more efficiently and considerately.

What We are Doing

We continue to monitor specific applications for wind turbines and campaign against them if inappropriate (see case study below).

In addition, we are promoting the development of landscape character assessments, so that such information can be used to determine the appropriateness of a particular proposal within the context of its surroundings.

Case Study - Wether Down

During 2009 there was a proposal by Volkswind of Germany to place two massive wind turbines This is one of the most tranquil parts of the county, and one proposed turbine was to be only a few feet from the South Downs Way. Working closely with the local community, gathering other influential allies, advocating our case at parish council meetings, distributing leaflets, and making our case convincingly in writing to all who would read it, all together brought one day in July last year a telephone call from the Chairman of East Meon Parish Council to tell us that the developers has seen the light and withdrawn the proposal.

The following documents were produced as part of this campaign:

Don't Blow Our Views Away (PDF: 3.6Mb) - a 2 page flier used as the main way to communicate to local residents.
Proposed Wind Turbines at Wether Down - Summary Points (PDF: 50K) - a 2 page summary covering impact on landscape, planning considerations and contribution to reducing climate change.
Proposed Wind Turbines at Wether Down - A Critique of Design, Location and Planning Policy - 10 pages of detail on the above points plus tranquillity, detailed design.

See also the press release announcing the withdrawal of the planning application.

How You Can Help

If you have concerns about proposals for out-of-scale and out-of-character wind turbines in your area, please let us know.

Why not help your village undertake a Landscape Character Statement? This can be a valuable asset to provide supporting evidence to inform planning decisions that affect your local landscape.

If you would like to discuss these matters further, please contact CPRE Hampshire Branch Office, or the Campaign Management Group.

This page last updated 28th February 2013.