Rotherham Wind Farm plans to be submitted

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Package Of Energy Measures Set To Benefit Local Communities

Developer Banks Developments is proposing to build six turbines with a maximum height of 132m to the west of the junction of the M1 and M18.

And should the scheme be approved, the communities around the Penny Hill development will benefit directly from a package of initiatives designed to help tackle fuel poverty and to enable community groups to install other forms of renewable energy.

Feedback on the initial proposals gathered through a public consultation process conducted by Banks has informed the final design of the scheme, and a number of assessments have also been carried out to examine possible environmental issues, including noise, visual impact, archaeology, ecology and wildlife.

Local people will be able to view and comment on the updated plans at four forthcoming public exhibitions.

The first two will take place between 3pm and 7pm on Tuesday 14 July at Ulley Village Hall and Aston Parish Hall, with the second two happening between the same times on the following day at Thurcroft Welfare Community Hall and again at Ulley Village Hall.

Rob Williams, renewables projects director at Banks Developments, says: “None of the numerous statutory bodies we have consulted during our design process have expressed major concerns about the scope of our proposals. We hope that the upcoming exhibitions will also be able to allay any remaining concerns of local people.

“The Rotherham area has significant renewable energy generation targets to hit, both by next year and 2020, and this scheme would make a major contribution towards achieving these goals.

“Generating energy from renewable sources such as wind farms is becoming increasingly important, but alongside this, Banks believes that it is also very important that the communities in which this energy generation takes place to benefit from it as well.

“If the Penny Hill proposal is approved, we will implement a comprehensive package of measures which will have a direct and positive impact on the communities around it.

“We would work to tackle ‘fuel poverty’ amongst local people on low incomes or benefits by providing detailed information, expert advice and funding towards simple measures which can be taken to reduce energy consumption, hence cutting the related costs, carbon emissions and environmental impact.

“Banks would also provide specialist advice to local community groups and organisations on how they might use ‘micro-renewable’ sources of energy at their premises, such as solar, wind, water or ground source heat pumps, to both meet their energy needs and cut costs.”

A decision on the proposal is expected before the end of the year.

Last updated: Tuesday 30 June 2009, 13:14 PM