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Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance (2011)

Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance was formed late in 2010 to support renewable energy proposals, particularly appropriately sited wind turbines, in the area around Greater Nottingham. It is a local branch of a wider regional Pro-Wind Alliance (ProWA) which is supported by Nottingham Friends of the Earth and a number of other organisations.

Severn Trent

Awsworth: Nottm ProWA's first action was to support a proposal by Severn Trent to erect a single large turbine at their Newthorpe sewage treatment works near Awsworth (see letter of support below). This was approved by Broxtowe's Development Control Committee in June 2011. It was opposed by Greasley and Awsworth Parish Councils and Nottinghamshire County Council. However, one of the local councillors Richard Robinson announced his support for the turbine before the election in May 2011 and he was re-elected. Further details are in the Environmental Report on the Broxtowe planning website (ref: 10/00717/FUL). Children at Awsworth Primary School have named the turbine Winston (see Post report). It should be producing electricity by March 2014 (more photos are on a ProWA blog): 

Stoke Bardolph: A 2.5MW turbine at Severn Trent's sewage treatment works was approved by Gedling's Planning Committee in September 2013, also supported by Nottm ProWA. (A previous proposal for two turbines was rejected in March 2012 on grounds of visual impact on the green belt, on landscape and listed buildings, and on a sports ground.)

Woodborough

Nottm ProWA also supported a single smaller 330kW turbine proposed by a farmer in Woodborough. This received planning permission from Gedling's Planning Committee in November 2011 in spite of over 1,000 local objections, but an anti-wind campaign group has delayed the project by objecting through the Courts - see our news archive. The turbine was finally erected in December 2013:

Newark & Sherwood

Lindhurst & Stonish Hill: In Newark & Sherwood a number of wind turbines have been approved. A windfarm of five large turbines (upto 9MW) has been operating at Lindhurst (between Mansfield and Rainworth) since 2010. Another windfarm of five turbines (upto 10MW) has been operating since June 2013 at a former colliery site at Stonish Hill, Bilsthorpe (between Ollerton and Southwell). There are a number of smaller turbines, including a community 225kW turbine at Hockerton (see our news archive).

 
Stonish Hill Windfarm 

Brackenhurst College, near Southwell: Nottingham Trent University proposed two 330kW turbines, one of which would have been for community benefit. It was supported by Synergy Southwell which would have been interested in taking on the community turbine. It was rejected mainly due to impact on listed buildings on the Brackenhurst site. An appeal was submitted in December 2013. Details on Newark & Sherwood District Council's website - ref: 11/00792/FUL.

South of Newark, between Hawton and Cotham: Three large turbines proposed by Bolsterstone had planning permission rejected in August 2012 against an officer recommendation to approve, but an appeal has been lodged (details: ref: 11/01588/FULM).

Fox Covert Windfarm (also between Hawton and Cotham): Wind Prospect  has applied for planning permission for a four turbine wind farm (planning ref: 13/00889/FULM). Details at http://foxcovertwindfarm.com/milestones.

Gunthorpe Lock: Partnerships for Renewables together with British Waterways is proposing one 2MW turbine, 122m high, estimated to generate 4.3GWh per year, equivalent to electricity used by 980 homes, saving over 1,800 tonnes CO2 p.a. Details on PfR website.

Rushcliffe

A number of wind turbines proposed in Rushcliffe have been rejected. This includes a community turbine at East Bridgford, and two separate turbines proposed near Orston.

East Bridgford Community Energy: This community group has reapplied on a different site for a single turbine upto 800kW (Enercon E53) which would supply the equivalent of half the electricity used by the village over a year. Statements of support can be made via the Rushcliffe website, or by email to developmentcontrol@rushcliffe.gov.uk. Quote ref 13/02447/FUL and mark for attention of Ms Michelle Dunne. Comments are required by 20 February 2014, but should be accepted after this date.

Nottingham City

Grove Farm, near Clifton Bridge: The University of Nottingham proposed three large turbines which were rejected by planning committees in Broxtowe and the City. Reasons for refusal included potential confusion for air traffic control radar at East Midlands Airport from multiple turbines, and potential impact on housing which may be built on the nearby Boots site and on Clifton Grove. An appeal by the University against refusal of one turbine in Broxtowe was rejected. For background, see the University website.

Some sources of information on wind power:

The Pro Wind Alliance (ProWA) is an association of local individuals and groups who are convinced that renewables are vital for the future and who are therefore in favour of developing properly designed local renewable generating capability. ProWA aims to provide objective information, backed by sound research and references.For further details, email Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance: contact@ prowa.org.uk

Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance has a Facebook page.

Examples of consultation responses:

Severn Trent turbine proposed near Awsworth (approved by Broxtowe, 22 June 2011) - letter from Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance (February 2011) - this includes links to:

  • A DECC report on attitudes to renewable energy showing around 80% support for wind power (page 7). [More recent public attitudes data are on the DECC website.]
  • A House of Commons report comparing the carbon footprint of wind to fossil fuels. (This report has now been updated as Postnote 383 which shows that the carbon footprint of electricity from large onshore turbines (over 500kW) is generally less than 20gCO2eq/kWh (mostly due to manufacture and construction), compared to over 400gCO2eq/kWh for gas and over 800g for coal. Small turbines (under 100kW) are generally in the range of 20g to 50g depending on average wind speeds. The Committee on Climate Change has recommended average electricity generation should be less than 50g by 2030.) 
  • A Vestas life cycle assessment which estimates for a 3MW onshore turbine an 'energy payback' time of 6.6 months (page 36) - typically the energy used in manufacture and construction is paid back in less than a year for wind turbines.

Woodborough Park Farm (Gedling) - letter from Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance (June 2011)

Brackenhurst, Nottingham Trent University (Newark & Sherwood) - letter from Nottingham Friends of the Earth (August 2011)

Grove Farm, University of Nottingham (Broxtowe and Nottingham City) - response from Nottingham Pro-Wind Alliance (September 2011)