Wind farms are an important part of the future when it comes to power generation and will help to cut energy bills according to the latest pronoucement from Prime Minister Gordon Brown on the subject.
The county is in the forefront of the development of the turbines with offshore farms near to Sheppey and north Kent in operation and large scale proposals put forward for an area near Marden.
Romney Marsh is set to be the site of a massive £50 million development and controversial plans exist for a scheme in East Langdon, near Dover.
The massive structures would dominate the landscape of much of the Weald and the marsh farm – set to be in operation next year – would be the most visible feature for tens of miles in each direction.
Last week Mr Brown won a narrow Commons vote which will speed up the planning process for the turbines – which opponents say are inefficient, cause environmental damage and are an eyesore.
Some plans have been held up by objections from civil aviation authorities and the Ministry of Defence but these will now be settled beforehand – outside the existing planning and appeal structure.
Protesters say this will mean objections will not get a proper hearing.
But in order to achieve a 15 per cent renewable energy target by 2020 the Government said 4,000 new onshore turbines are required along with 3,000 offshore farms.
The PM has also stated more communities will have to accept the green energy projects.
A document produced for consultation reads: “Visible changes to our landscape, town and cityscapes are inevitable.”
In a statement at a Low Carbon Energy Summit
last month Mr Brown outlined his commitment further.
He said: “Increasing our renewable energy sources will require national purpose and a shared national endeavour.”
According to Business Secretary John Hutton a poll shows 80 per cent of people favour the use of turbines to generate electricity and 64 per cent would be happy to live within three miles of turbines.
He also claimed 160,000 new jobs would be created in the process with suppliers of components particularly likely to benefit.
Another area to benefit would be fuel bills which would be reduced for both business and private consumers as reliance on expensive fossil fuels is reduced.
But the plans have not been approved by everyone.
The Kent Weald Action Group is particularly opposed to the plans for a turbine taller than St Paul’s Cathedral in the middle of the county.
John Webley, chairman, said: “The turbine is being built in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – and one which does not receive all that much wind. It will be visible from as far afield as Sevenoaks on one side and Tenterden on the other.”
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POSTED: 06/07/2008 14:00:00