New 'spire' on the city skyline (From Oxford Mail)

New 'spire' on the city skyline

9:05am Thursday 17th May 2007

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Most of us want to save the planet, and no doubt, wind turbines will have a big part to play in the green agenda in future.

The problem is that no-one wants them near them.

And given the size of the one proposed by the Midcounties Co-op near the Seacourt park-and-ride in Botley Road, Oxford, it is not surprising that there is already opposition.

Most of the turbines we have talked about in this area have been of the smaller variety.

The Co-op's plan envisages one 85 metres high - dwarfing many of the city's ancient buildings.

Planners will need to consider the visual impact of such a tall structure on the historic city.

They will want to be assured that it does nothing to detract from the views of the dreaming spires from Boars Hill and the Wytham hills.

With the turbine so close to the A34, there is also the question of road safety.

In other parts of the country, motorists have been distracted by the turning blades and have been involved in accidents as a result.

There is also uncertainty about how effective these turbines are.

Some experts argue that you would need hundreds, if not thousands of them to make any significant contribution to the National Grid.

If that is the case, people will wonder if it is worth ruining our pleasant countryside for so little return.

And you can be sure that if one turbine of this size springs up, others will follow.

Let the debate begin.

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