Two wind turbines have been given planning permission today at Park Lane Farm, Risley, by Erewash Planning Committee. The two 30 metre high poles will generate 30kw of electricity per hour, saving 15.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. The decision was a trade off between care of the Green Belt and care for the environment. I think we made the right decision. When you consider the use of strings of pylons besmirching the countryside I think that wind turbines pale into insignificance. The landowner should be applauded for their initiative.
It is good to see 21st Century electricity generation coming to Erewash, albeit on a small scale. For several years there has been a low pressure hydro electric scheme at Borrowash and recently a hydro electric plant was given permission as part of the flood prevention measures on the Trent. Progress on different methods of electricity production is interesting intrinsically but actual practical application is the real test.
In future Erewash could exploit it's network of streams and waterways to generate electricity. With flooding being a real risk in the south of the Borough, using water to generate power might be a reasonable option rather than wind power and also help control flooding. It may help us turn the tide on global warming in a small way.
We particularly should also look at new methods of power generation on the Stanton site, along with ultra fast Broadband, it could kick start the Stanton redevelopment. A high tech power system and up to date Broadband could send a clear message of progressive thinking by the local Council both to local people and to investors.
Some 30 odd years ago I worked as a surveyor on the Stanton site when they upgraded the stacking area with hard-standing and an overhead crane.
ReplyDeleteIf my memory serves me correctly there is a stream that flows under the site ( we had to duct it with a box culvert ) !
Many people are fearful about wind turbines on their doorstep. The greatest fear is noise. Now new technology has helped to reduce operating noise they do still whine but it's like living near an airport or next to a railway, you get used to the noise and it drifts into the background. Even living way out in the stick the silence can be deafening.