Support Stonish Hill windfarm

A new windfarm is proposed for Nottinghamshire on a former colliery site. Stonish Hill is close to the villages of Eakring and Bilsthorpe.

In February Newark and Sherwood Council ignored advice from its planning officers and turned down the original application. There will now be a Public Inquiry on whether the project should go ahead.

Did you know?

The windfarm's five turbines will supply enough electricity for 5,500 homes.

Source: Harworth Power (PDF†)

Clean green solutions

Friends of the Earth's Big Ask campaign is calling on the Government to introduce a strong climate law to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions.

The UK Government has targets to generate 10% of our electricity from renewable sources by 2010.

Approving projects like the one is vital if we are serious about meeting these targets. Every part of the country must play its part in switching to clean and safe solutions.

A photomontage of Stonish Hill windfarm-to-be

Photomontage of Stonish Hill windfarm-to-be

Let's make it happen

Stonish Hill windfarm's five turbines will supply enough electricity for 5,600 homes. This will provide annual savings of up to 26,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Several local arable farmers are actively involved in developing the windfarm. They have invested in the project to help secure the long-term viability of farming.

Stonish Hill windfarm is supported by local people from West Notts Friends of the Earth and Sustainable Energy Alliance.

They are campaigning for a safe future for everyone in the area. Please join them and ask the Planning Inspectorate to approve the project and help cut our carbon dioxide emissions.

Copy of Email the Planning Inspectorate

Dear Ms Smith,

Planning Application APP/B3030/A/08/2072487/NWF Statement of support I am writing to express my support for the proposed Stonish Hill windfarm. I would like the Planning Inspectorate to consider the following points when making a decision on the windfarm: As part of its strategy to tackle climate change, the UK Government supports an EU target of 20% of all energy from renewable sources by 2020. This will require the participation of every community around the UK in adoption of low carbon energy technologies. Britain is Europe's windiest country. Wind power offers huge potential to reduce our emissions and offer energy security. Onshore windpower is the best developed and most economical renewable generation, allowing us to make much needed reductions right now. I understand there may be concerns about the visual impact of this proposal. This is a subjective issue, and it must be borne in mind that modern wind turbines are planned for a period of 25 years, after which time they may be removed, or replaced. Visual impacts must also be weighed against the likely damage to our landscapes and environment caused by climate change, such as loss of beech trees and bluebell woods. Finally, I would like to remind you that national planning policy now prioritises action on climate change in the new Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change. These guidelines must now be embraced at a local level and strongly emphasise the guidance contained in PPS 1 paragraphs 13 and 22, and PPS 22, to promote and encourage the development of renewable energy resources. The Council's planners recognised the importance of Government climate change guidance and directly referred to it in their recommendations to approve the wind farm. However in turning down the original application Newark and Sherwood District Council Planning Committee has chosen to ignore the guidance.

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