Wind turbine proposal at Somerset farm

Windberry Energy Operations Ltd is looking for permission to put up the turbine on Warren Farm, beside the Old Frome Road which runs between Oakhill and East Horrington in Somerset.

The company says the three-bladed turbine could save an annual 3,654 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions going into the atmosphere from conventional forms of fossil fuels if it is given the go-ahead by Mendip District Council planners.

Windberry, which is based in London, is a renewable energy project developer, owner and operator which focuses on small-scale single wind turbine schemes. It works with local landowners to find sites to put up just one electricity generator.

Locally, it is working with landowner George Stevens who farms Warren Farm, which is a traditional arable and livestock operation.

It is likely homes on the edge of Shepton Mallet would be able to see the turbine but Windberry maintain it would be screened from other surrounding areas by nearby trees.

Savills is acting as agent for Windberry and in reports to the planning authority says the single generator would not have a significant impact on the countryside.

Its report to the planning authority said: “This proposal’s modest height and rotor blade diameter have been shown not to be visually prominent within its landscape context. Given intervening topography and separation distances it would not adversely affect the character of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and surrounding settlements.”

The report also added: “Wind energy projects, such as that proposed at Warren Farm, would make a valuable contribution to the fulfilment of the UK’s obligations.

“This kind of project, which is estimated to generate enough electricity to supply the equivalent of 258 households per year and displace the equivalent of up to approximately 3,654 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year from conventional forms of electricity generation, must be allowed to come forward if UK renewable energy targets are to be met.”

The turbine would be expected to generate power for 25 years.