The South Glos Post

Local campaigners have expressed their delight after a planning inspector backed a council refusal to build a wind farm near Oldbury-on-Severn, South Gloucestershire.

Widely known as the ‘Stoneyard Lane Wind Farm‘ because of a public right of way accessing the site, the proposed development involved the construction of four 127m (to blade tip) wind turbines, one 80m ‘anemometry mast’ and other associated infrastructure.

Last year South Gloucestershire Council refused permission for the scheme, but the developer – Wind Prospect Developments Limited – then appealed to the independent Planning Inspectorate.

But in his concluding remarks, the inspector backed the council’s refusal, saying:

“the proposed development would have serious implications for the character and appearance of the rural surroundings in terms of landscape, the historic environment and the amenity of public rights of way, so serious in my opinion that they outweigh the benefits of renewable energy production.”

Local campaigners believe this ruling has significant implications for another proposed wind farm development at the nearby village of Ingst, which is in the Green Belt.

More: Decision is a victory for people power says councillor »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

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An announcement by the company behind a new Oldbury nuclear power station to reduce the proposed size of the cooling towers is a ‘step in the right direction’ according to the area’s local councillor.

Horizon Nuclear Power – the joint venture company behind plans for a new nuclear power station at Oldbury – has announced that smaller 70m ‘hybrid’ cooling towers are its preferred system.

There had been concerns locally that 200m ‘natural draft’ versions were being planned.

Matthew Riddle, South Gloucestershire councillor for the Severn ward, which covers Oldbury, said:

“The issue of the size of the cooling towers, and the potential for them to be as high as 200m, has been one of the main concerns about a new Oldbury nuclear power station and is something I have raised repeatedly with Horizon.

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Source: Conservtaive Group on South Gloucestershire Council

A councillor representing Oldbury is setting up a stakeholder group to ensure local residents’ voices are heard if a new nuclear power station is built.

The non-political group will comprise of representatives from the Parish Council and local residents with the aim of influencing the energy company E.ON UK’s plans at an early stage, including the issue of the cooling towers, as well as liaising with South Gloucestershire Council.

The group would also be a two-way conduit for information to and from the community.

The group is being set up by Severn ward councillor, Matthew Riddle, with help from local parish councillors. He said:

“We know that if this development happens then it will have a significant impact on the local area and so I am determined to do what I can to ensure that local residents are in the driving seat as much as they realistically can be with such a major project.

The Government’s changes to the planning regime for energy projects of this sort make it harder for local people to have a meaningful say with the final decision now being made by an undemocratic new quango.

It is important, therefore, that we coordinate local efforts at an early stage, so we can attempt to shape some important aspects of any potential development at the Oldbury site as this complex planning process moves forward.

I have delivered a special survey to ask for people’s views, what their concerns are and encourage them to get involved with this new consultative group.

The group would neither be for nor against development at Oldbury. It is about taking a step back, being pragmatic and saying that if this is going to happen – and it is still a big if – then these are the community’s concerns and we want to explore ways of addressing them.”

More info: Contact Cllr Matthew Riddle

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

E.ON UK is holding a series pf public exhibitions to provide an update on the company’s plans for a potential new nuclear power station at Oldbury-on-Severn.

The exhibitions will also provide information about studies that the company anticipates will be included in any future Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Attendees will be given a first glance at two indicative layouts of the site and will be able to register feedback.

The next exhibition takes place on Saturday 28th November at Cossham Hall, Chapel Street, Thornbury, between 10am and 6pm.

Related link: Oldbury nuclear power plans (E.ON UK)