ueb333

Glyndebourne Opera House given go-ahead for 230ft wind turbine

wind turbine Plans to erect a 230ft wind turbine in the grounds of an operahouse have been given the go-ahead, it was announced today.

The proposal to build the turbine at the world-famous GlyndebourneOpera House, near Lewes, East Sussex, was approved by Secretary ofState Hazel Blears, in a document published today.

David Pickard, general director of Glyndebourne Productions Ltd,said the turbine was expected to reduce the venue's carbonemissions by up to 70%, and described the decision as a"significant step for Glyndebourne in its continued drive to takeresponsibility for the impact it has on the environment".

The plans to build the turbine on a hill known as Mill Plain in theSouth Downs, a site of a proposed National Park, and already one ofthe country's designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)has attracted a great deal of controversy since it was firstannounced in January last year.

Hundreds of people attended a public inquiry into the turbine inFebruary, where Inspector Dr Andrew Pykett heard evidence fromthose for and against its construction, including wildlifebroadcaster Sir David Attenborough who delivered a speech in praiseof the plans.

He described the turbine as an "admirable" attempt by Glyndebourneat reducing its impact on the environment and dismissed thoseagainst it as possessing a Nimby (Not In My Back Yard) attitude.

Those who were opposed to it said the turbine would ruin thepicturesque landscape and the peace and tranquility of the area,and claimed it would actually be of little benefit in the bid toreduce carbon emissions.

A consortium of environmental groups, including the Campaign toProtect Rural England (CPRE), the Campaign for National Parks(CNP), the South Downs Society and the Ramblers' Association, alsosaid the turbine would directly oppose one of the conditions of theSouth Downs Management Plan, which was set up to protect thelandscape from development.

In the report published today, however, Ms Blears said the positiveimpact the turbine would have in providing a renewable source ofenergy outweighed any negatives.

The report said: "Overall, the Secretary of State concludes thatany disadvantages of the proposal are outweighed by the benefits,and she considers that planning permission should be granted.

"The Secretary of State considers that the proposal wouldcontribute towards the regional targets for the use of renewableenergy, and that the saving in terms of carbon dioxide emissionswould be an environmental benefit.

"She has considered the visual effect of the proposed turbine onthe landscape and its surroundings, whilst taking account of bothdesignations and the experiences of those who live in and visit thearea. She considers the impact of the scheme would be manageableand that the effect of the proposed development would not beunacceptable.

"Overall, the Secretary of State considers that the scheme wouldconstitute the sensitive exploitation of a renewable energy sourcewithout significant detriment to the AONB, which would thus beneither undermined or compromised."

The document laid out certain conditions that must be met inconstructing the 850 kilowatt turbine, which will consist of a144ft tubular tower and a three-bladed rotor with a diameter of171ft, with an overall height of 230ft.

It stipulates that building must begin within the next three years,and only once the method of constructing it has been agreed.

Before this happens a meteorological mast will be temporarilyerected for one year to measure wind speeds at the site to confirmthe turbine would produce its expected output.

A climate change and carbon reduction strategy must also besubmitted, including a programme of measures to encourage the useof alternative modes of transport to and from the opera house and aban on the use of helicopters by visitors, except in cases ofmedical emergency.

Environmental groups today lambasted the Government for thedecision to build what they said would be the firstindustrial-scale turbine to be built in a designated national park.

Tom Oliver of the CPRE said turbines of such a height should onlybe built out at sea or in already-industrialised areas.

He said: "Although it is good that the Government is taking theissue of climate change more seriously, in our view this huge windturbine at Glyndebourne is the wrong development in the wrongplace."

Ruth Chambers of the CNP said: "We are hugely disappointed by theGovernment's decision in this case, which in our view fails toappreciate the national importance of the South Downs landscape."

However she added that the charity was "heartened" by itsacknowledgement that the turbine was a special case as it was insuch a unique location.

She said: "This sends a very clear message to would-be turbinedevelopers that in general nationally important landscapes such asthe South Downs will be protected from large wind schemes."

The South Downs Environmental Protection Consortium has now vowedto study the report in detail over the next few days to ensurethere are no errors, which would allow it to be challenged in theHigh Court.