The Planning Minister, Matthew Guy, has called in a proposed three turbine wind farm at Chepstowe, near Ballarat, which is close to one occupied dwelling.

Next time you come and enjoy the wonderful landscape that exists in the Lenches, either just to pass through, or to enjoy the Blossom trail, pause for moment and take a closer look.

The Lenches now has, per house more solar PV panels, Solar thermal panels, air source and ground source heat pumps in operation than any of the other villages in the Vale!

So, if you want to find out how You can really do Your bit for the environment, just come and visit us. 

(p.s if you can’t see the panels, it’s because a lot of the Lenches is a conservation area, and they have been discretely installed on roofs and in areas that don’t face the road!)

For over two years we have been working towards achieving this decision. The journey has been long and arduous and deeply affected many resident’s lives.

Developments of this magnitude require more technical research and more opportunties to consult the communities in a more respectful and consultative way. Not just the odd village hall ‘open evening’ with inadequate paper questionnaires. It must be a community decision ensuring the right technology is in the right environment.

We are aware that this may not be the end of resident’s plight. The Applicant is a large corporation with substantial Parent Company financial backing. They have the funds to force an Appeal.

If an Appeal is successful it won’t be the Applicant or its employees that will have health and home affected by the decisions of others .

We will fight on.

VVASP is not against wind farms as a renewable energy source, we believe in the right renewable technology in the right environment. The Vale of Evesham is not the right environment for 410 feet/126m wind turbines.

Relative Sizes of Lenchwick Wind Turbines with Broadway Tower, Pershore Abbey, Church Lench Church and Worcester Cathedral

In an very late, understated submission to Wychavon, Scottish Power Renewables, only confirmed their decision after an exchange of emails between Worcestershire County Council (The Highways Authority) and ScottishPower Renewables

Here is an Extract from the request:

14th December 2010

“I have read with interest that it is claimed that the route via Evesham Road / Leys Road has been selected as the preferred route. I was not aware of this being so and was still under the impression that both routes were being considered.”

Brian Sharp, Development Control Engineer, Worcestershire County Council

And ScottishPower Renewables Reply:

14th December 2010

“We have now decided that the Evesham Road / Leys Road option poses the least difficulties”

Kirsty Black, Assistant Project Manager, SCOTTISHPOWER RENEWABLES

Nearly 6 months after the submission of their application, finally they have made a decision.

So now Harvington and Leys Road could see more than 5,000 tonnes of concrete and 35,000 tonnes of aggregate passing through, with the return journeys, that means more than 5,000 trucks passing through this quiet village and residential area.

And yet – no consultation about this proposal to the people affected.

So what is driving Scottish Power?

Wind power… It’s green… It’s good… It reduces our dependency on foreign oil… That’s what the people of Meredith, in upstate New York first thought when a wind developer looked to supplement this farm town’s failing economy with a farm of their own — that of 40 industrial wind turbines. Attracted at first to the financial incentives, residents grow increasingly alarmed as they discover side effects they never dreamed of, as well as the potential for disturbing financial scams. With wind development growing rapidly at 39% annually in the US, WINDFALL is an eye-opener for anyone concerned about the future of renewable energy.

Director Laura Israel and producer Autumn Tarleton

Church Lench Village Hall

7:30pm for 8pm

Come along and be entertained by

Louise James

“A one off natural performer with a

big personality and a powerful voice”

From classic love songs to dance tracks.

Louise’s repertoire is varied and versatile ranging

from the 1960’s to the latest chart hits

Bar

Cheese and Biscuits in the Interval

Tickets only £10

e:tickets@vvasp.org.uk

for more information about Louise, please visit:

http://www.louise-james.co.uk/

Click Here To See the Full Article

Saturday 9th October 7.30pm for 8pm

Church Lench Village Hall

Only £10

Great JAZZ Music, Bar & Nibbles

Call: 01386 870950