Council Wind Energy 'Ban' A Mistake

With a controversial planning application due to be submitted today (Friday) for six wind turbines at Wellow, portfolio holder for planning and environment Cllr Ian Ward ruled that reference to wind energy should be removed from a report to the Cabinet on renewable energy, for fear the authority could face accusations of bias.

But, said Cllr Ward, the officer misunderstood and inserted a paragraph that delighted opponents of the wind farm.

The paragraph said: "Due to the intimate nature of the Island's landscape and the fact that over 50 per cent is area of outstanding natural beauty, the goals and objectives of achieving renewable energy targets are best met through means other than wind energy."

Opponents The Wight Against Rural Turbines (ThWART) warmly welcomed that statement and the fact the council had said energy targets were best met through renewables, such as tidal power, biomass, solar energy and micro-generation installations, such as solar panels and photovoltaic technology.

However, at the Cabinet meeting Cllr Ward said he had called for an earlier report to be revised so it did not include estimates of energy produced from wind.

"That is not because we do not support it. We are trying to be neutral and see what proposals are given to us by Your Energy. We do not know what energy generation can come from any new proposals so we feel it is inappropriate to comment at the moment," he said.

Asked after the meeting about the disparity between that statement and the officer's report, Cllr Ward said: "I asked all mention of wind energy should be removed but there was a misunderstanding and it seemed to be ruled out altogether as an option for the Island.

"Someone will appeal whatever the decision of the development control committee into Your Energy's application, so we have to be seen to be neutral on this," he said.