Our current major concern is EAST STOKE - the plan for 3 (formerly 6, then 4!) huge (higher than salisbury cathedral) wind turbines, clearly visible from the historic tourist town of Wareham. If evidence showed this would really help reduce Co2, there might be a slim case for it (barring better alternatives). However, the story is one of money over common sense. This radio 4 program gets right to the heart of the onshore wind problem: Costing the Earth 
VIDEO OF EXPLODING WIND TURBINE:more relevant videos 
A Rebuttal for Seekers of the TRUTH! »A document that debunks the British Wind Energy Association's 'Top Myths about Wind Energy'. Read now »
FACT: Wind turbines generate on average only between 7% and 27% of their "nameplate" capacity.
Dorset Against Rural Turbines
Assessing the facts and acting before it's too late.
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Dorset Life supports Dorset Landscape!
added 19 ⁄ 06 ⁄ 08
Article on wind farm proposals in Dorset Life magazine...
A 3 page article in the June 2008 edition of Dorset Life magazine examines the Governments questionable renewable energy policy and the threat to our landscape (wildlife, tourism and peace of mind we might add) posed by the wind farm plans at East Stoke.
Click here to read the article »
Click here to read the article »
Say 'Hello Sunshine!' with Radio 4
added 19 ⁄ 06 ⁄ 08
People power and solar power - working together...
"Peter Day discovers the secret of German success. He travels to Leipzig in former East Germany where they are building the world’s biggest solar power station and visits Conergy’s state of the art manufacturing plant producing solar panels in Frankfurt-an-der-Oder."
Listen to the programme »
This item is significant in that Germany has a system of so called “feed in” tariffs. The highest rate is paid for solar energy produced by householders (not the power companies). Read in full »
Listen to the programme »
This item is significant in that Germany has a system of so called “feed in” tariffs. The highest rate is paid for solar energy produced by householders (not the power companies). Read in full »
Some sense from The Sun!
added 19 ⁄ 06 ⁄ 08
Sun features article: 'Wind turbine smashed... by wind'
'A GIANT wind turbine sparked major safety fears yesterday when it was smashed by . . . the WIND.
A huge propeller broke off the 190ft turbine close to a busy motorway link road. The 30ft blade cracked when the turbine was hit by strong gusts just two months after it began operating. Engineers were called in but could only let the propeller drop to the ground.' Read in full »
Read article on The Sun's website »
Read article on The Sun's website »
3 Down,.. 3 to go!!
added 16 ⁄ 06 ⁄ 08
Proposed turbines reduced again - Council not told!
Council officials were left in the dark as Infinergy/Alaska further reduced the number of proposed wind turbines at East Stoke, this time from 4 to 3.
The Daily Echo report of 31st May stated that the council had received a letter informing them of this decision. However, a member of the public who actually attended the planning meeting confirmed that no written correspondence whatsoever regarding the proposed alteration to the planning application had been received and that it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter until they were in receipt of this notification.
This is not the first time that the local press has misrepresented the facts:
Dorset Echo Thursday 28th June 2008:
"The 'Alaska' site at East Stoke, for which developers are still seeking planning permission, could generate a further 18 megawatts from three turbines."
3 x 2.3mw comes to 6.9 NOT 18!!!! Please go back to school Dorset Echo!
Dorset Echo Thursday 6th December 2007:
"I have been to see all the residents neighbouring the land and after answering their questions they think the idea is great."
The facts of the matter are that most of the properties visited by Mr Bond were those of which he was landlord (hence not owned by residents). None of the 30 or so houses in Middlefield Cottages (right next to the site) had been approached nor were any of the businesses in the area. The local scout camp at Buddens Farm has never been approached, despite the fact that they host over 10,000 visitors throughout each year who would be sleeping in tents, some of which would be less than 200 metres away from the nearest turbine. Read in full »
The Daily Echo report of 31st May stated that the council had received a letter informing them of this decision. However, a member of the public who actually attended the planning meeting confirmed that no written correspondence whatsoever regarding the proposed alteration to the planning application had been received and that it would be inappropriate to discuss the matter until they were in receipt of this notification.
This is not the first time that the local press has misrepresented the facts:
Other Howlers from the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo:
Dorset Echo Thursday 28th June 2008:
"The 'Alaska' site at East Stoke, for which developers are still seeking planning permission, could generate a further 18 megawatts from three turbines."
3 x 2.3mw comes to 6.9 NOT 18!!!! Please go back to school Dorset Echo!
Dorset Echo Thursday 6th December 2007:
"I have been to see all the residents neighbouring the land and after answering their questions they think the idea is great."
The facts of the matter are that most of the properties visited by Mr Bond were those of which he was landlord (hence not owned by residents). None of the 30 or so houses in Middlefield Cottages (right next to the site) had been approached nor were any of the businesses in the area. The local scout camp at Buddens Farm has never been approached, despite the fact that they host over 10,000 visitors throughout each year who would be sleeping in tents, some of which would be less than 200 metres away from the nearest turbine. Read in full »
Naturally, Common Sense!
added 17 ⁄ 05 ⁄ 08
Natural England Raise Serious Concerns about Wind Farm
Natural England have sent a letter to Purbeck District Council voicing some serious concerns about the planned turbines at East Stoke. As they quite rightly point out, the proposed site lies in the immediate vicinity of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA) and also lies extremely close to the boundary of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AoNB) - and, we should say, dominating the landscape for many miles within that area. Natural England say in the letter:
"...we believe that in it's current form, an appropriate assessment would have no alternative but to conclude that the proposed development would adversely affect the integrity of the Dorset Heathlands SPA [Special Protection Area]... Without significant ammendments to the proposal therefore, Natural England would have no alternative but to object to the application."
Please read the full letter here »
"...we believe that in it's current form, an appropriate assessment would have no alternative but to conclude that the proposed development would adversely affect the integrity of the Dorset Heathlands SPA [Special Protection Area]... Without significant ammendments to the proposal therefore, Natural England would have no alternative but to object to the application."
Please read the full letter here »
East Stoke developer's plans in disarray
added 13 ⁄ 05 ⁄ 08
Generating capacity of proposed Windfarm reduced again
Windfarm developer, Infinergy's plans to build an industrial generating plant at East Stoke were in disarray yesterday as it announced that it would be reducing the original number of planned wind turbines from 6 to 4. Under the revised plans one of the remaining turbines will be moved closer to Puddletown Road.
No further details have yet been given. The developer and landowner Will Bond will now be required to re-submit the revised plans to Purbeck District Council.
This change reduces once again the maximum claimed electrical generating capacity of the proposed Windfarm at East Stoke.
Originally Infinergy and Bond claimed 18Mw maximum generating capacity. This was later downgraded to 13.5Mw. With the latest reduction in the number of wind turbines, this figure drops yet again, to a maximum of 9.2Mw. The developer's justification for placing these huge industrial turbines in full view of an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is beginning to look more and more unconvincing. Of course, the financial benefits for the landowner and Infinergy as a result of payments from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) and tax breaks through the Climate Change Levy will remain, together with the threat to East Stoke village and the rest of Purbeck. Read in full »
No further details have yet been given. The developer and landowner Will Bond will now be required to re-submit the revised plans to Purbeck District Council.
This change reduces once again the maximum claimed electrical generating capacity of the proposed Windfarm at East Stoke.
Originally Infinergy and Bond claimed 18Mw maximum generating capacity. This was later downgraded to 13.5Mw. With the latest reduction in the number of wind turbines, this figure drops yet again, to a maximum of 9.2Mw. The developer's justification for placing these huge industrial turbines in full view of an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is beginning to look more and more unconvincing. Of course, the financial benefits for the landowner and Infinergy as a result of payments from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) and tax breaks through the Climate Change Levy will remain, together with the threat to East Stoke village and the rest of Purbeck. Read in full »
What a Bright Idea!
added 13 ⁄ 05 ⁄ 08
British Gas to send out 52 million energy saving light bulbs
The energy company says the initiative will be the largest of its kind ever seen in the UK and will slash carbon emissions by nine million tonnes. This is a guaranteed (not speculative) saving, 450 times more than Infinergy's most optimistic estimate of up to 20,000 tonnes. In other words, you would need to build 450 wind farms to achieve the same carbon saving! Of course, the cost would be massively higher, financially and environmentally (each turbine costs roughly £1000,000). Read in full »
Visit to Burton Wold Windfarm
added 13 ⁄ 05 ⁄ 08
From a Resident living close to proposed East Stoke site:
I have recently visited a windfarm at Burton Wold in Northamptonshire and could not believe how intrusive it was.
The turbines are about 2 thirds of the size of those proposed at Masters Pit, East Stoke but could be clearly seen from many miles away, in fact they completely dominated the whole area! I also noticed that the only building in the immediate vicinity of the turbines was the house owned by the farmer on whose land they were built.
As I entered the site and came to within half a mile of the turbines I was able to appreciate just how massive they were compared to something like electricity pylons for example.
Standing almost underneath one, the noise it made as it revolved reminded me of a cement mixer in full flow.
When I left the site, the thought of 6 of these machines, 410 feet high, dominating Wareham and the surrounding Purbeck countryside filled me with horror. Purbeck would be ruined for the foreseeable future.
The turbines are about 2 thirds of the size of those proposed at Masters Pit, East Stoke but could be clearly seen from many miles away, in fact they completely dominated the whole area! I also noticed that the only building in the immediate vicinity of the turbines was the house owned by the farmer on whose land they were built.
As I entered the site and came to within half a mile of the turbines I was able to appreciate just how massive they were compared to something like electricity pylons for example.
Standing almost underneath one, the noise it made as it revolved reminded me of a cement mixer in full flow.
When I left the site, the thought of 6 of these machines, 410 feet high, dominating Wareham and the surrounding Purbeck countryside filled me with horror. Purbeck would be ruined for the foreseeable future.
Send Your Objections Now!
added 18 ⁄ 04 ⁄ 08
Consultation continues...
Purbeck District Council are currently considering the plans to build 4 (formerly 6!) huge wind turbines at East Stoke. Now is the time to send your objections to this large industrial development in the heart of our community. Please read the information on this site, detailing the truth behind onshore wind 'farms' and send your objections as soon as possible to:
If you haven't the time to write a letter and post it, please use our ONLINE FORM to send your message to Purbeck District Council.
Despite the size and impact this planning application, the level of consultation and information supplied by Infinergy has so far been woefully inadequate.
Read in full »
The Planning Officer
Purbeck District Council
Westport House, Worgret Road
Wareham, Dorset
BH20 4PP
Purbeck District Council
Westport House, Worgret Road
Wareham, Dorset
BH20 4PP
If you haven't the time to write a letter and post it, please use our ONLINE FORM to send your message to Purbeck District Council.
Despite the size and impact this planning application, the level of consultation and information supplied by Infinergy has so far been woefully inadequate.
Read in full »
What the Environmentalists Say...
added 18 ⁄ 04 ⁄ 08
Greenpeace:
Introduction on the cover of their DVD 'The Convenient Solution'
"Becoming more efficient in the way we use energy is the most effective single step we can take to tackling climate change. Potential reductions in CO2 emissions through energy efficiency could be enormous. It should be our top priority... "
"Becoming more efficient in the way we use energy is the most effective single step we can take to tackling climate change. Potential reductions in CO2 emissions through energy efficiency could be enormous. It should be our top priority... "
Yes 2 Wind:
Guidance to campaigners on their website:
"Every wind farm proposal should be judged on its own merits. We encourage users to read the environmental impact assessment of the plan they wish to support before giving it their approval... Read in full »
"Every wind farm proposal should be judged on its own merits. We encourage users to read the environmental impact assessment of the plan they wish to support before giving it their approval... Read in full »
George Monbiot:
author many books including 'Heat', Guardian columnist and environmental campaigner makes the following observations about wind generated energy in the publication, New Left Review May /June 2007
"If either too much or too little (energy) is generated, the voltage and frequency fluctuations will crash the country's computers. If supply falls below a certain level, the whole system collapses. Not only must it be made when we want it, it must also be made in precisely the quantities we ask for. ...." Read in full »
"If either too much or too little (energy) is generated, the voltage and frequency fluctuations will crash the country's computers. If supply falls below a certain level, the whole system collapses. Not only must it be made when we want it, it must also be made in precisely the quantities we ask for. ...." Read in full »