Silton, Dorset
The first turbines for Dorset
We have submitted a planning application to construct six turbines near the village of Silton, to the north west of Gillingham.
These turbines will generate enough green energy to power over 8,800 homes, saving of the annual emission of nearly 10,000 tonnes of carbon.
Dorset is one of the last counties off the mark when it comes to wind energy. To reach our national renewable energy targets, every county has their part to play in reducing our carbon emissions.
It’s a perfect time for Dorset to join the green revolution.
Read the latest news for this wind park
Vital statistics
Site address - Silton, near Gillingham
Planning Since - 30 Jun 2008
Turbines - 6
Rotor diameter - 82m
Capacity - 12MW
Green electricity per year -
29 million units
Equivalent homes - 8,830
CO2 savings - 10,000 tonnes
02 July 2009
Unfortunately the North Dorset district councillors voted against their own council's recommendation to approve the scheme. A number of local residents spoke against the scheme, citing impact on local amenity and health problems despite the council's own assessments to the contrary. The councillors voted unanimously to refuse the application and we await the formal committee hearing report.
This is very disappointing, but not really a surprise. It shows once again that local councils are just not capable of making these decisions. North Dorset council have taken 12 months to make a decision, which is supposed to have been made in four - and even though their own planning officers have recommended approval in a 106 page document - the councillors have not had the backbone to endorse that. Gordon Brown needs to get to grips with this, every week we hear of a new target being set or adopted for onshore wind energy - there's no chance of hitting any of them until the government ends the absurd anomaly of Wind Energy being the only energy source in the UK that gets its planning consent from local councils. Local councils like North Dorset that prove themselves time and again unfit for the job. We will now have to take this to the government for a second opinion, via an appeal - that's where the decision needs to be taken from the start, to save a lot of time and hassle and speed up our response to climate change.
18 June 2009
Good news, the Committee Report for the Silton Wind Park was released today with an officer recommendation for approval.
The 106 page report concludes that the Wind Park will contribute significantly to renewable energy targets and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide. Decision day is the 2nd of July when the committee will consider the report and hopefully give the go ahead.
17 December 2008
Local support is always welcome.
Nice to know we're not the only ones who think wind turbines would look cool in Silton.
01 July 2008
We now have a selection of photomontages (within a 2.5km radius) and information on the proposal available online. In addition a full copy of the application is available to view at the North Dorset District Council offices at Blandford Forum.
If you have any questions feel free to contact us on silton@ecotricity.co.uk
