Turbines plan to help turn town green
3:06pm Wed Jun 22, 2011
A public meeting will be held next month to discuss the way forward for renewable energy schemes in Southwell, including a community wind turbine.
The meeting is being organised by Synergy Southwell following a survey earlier this year that showed support for renewable energy.
It will take place on Tuesday, July 19, at the Minster School, Southwell, and will include presentations from energy experts.
Speaking at a meeting of the Town Forum, Mr Steve Krupa, of Synergy Southwell, said they planned to focus on a community wind turbine as the most cost-effective option.
But opposition to a turbine was voiced by the chairman of Southwell Civic Society, Mr Mike Struggles.
Mr Struggles asked: “Are you prepared to destroy our landscape?”
Mr Krupa replied: “We are not talking about destroying landscape. We are talking about a community turbine for Southwell.”
Mr Struggles said many in the town were keen on renewable energy, but not a turbine.
The forum heard from Dr Eunice Simmons, the dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst campus, about plans to make it more eco-friendly.
She said they wanted the campus to be a demonstration exemplar to other businesses in its approach to energy consumption and sustainability.
“Because we are teaching students, we are turning out the next generation of environmentally-aware people,” she said.
The university plans to build two 65-metre high turbines on land at the south side of the campus towards Halloughton.
Dr Simmons said they were only interested in the project because it involved a community turbine.
“We don’t just want one for Nottingham Trent University,” she said.
She said the turbines could not be seen from Southwell Minster and ecological surveys had been carried out as part of the application.
Other schemes being considered are solar panels on the equestrian centre roof, a biomass facility, and making energy from waste produced on campus.
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