Ongoing Investigations into Potential Wind Turbine at Gunthorpe Lock

Published: 09/06/2011

Partnerships for Renewables (PfR) has said that land owned by British Waterways at Gunthorpe Lock could potentially host a single 1.5 MW turbine with a maximum tip height of 122m (the combined height of the tower and blades). This turbine could provide the same amount of electricity as is used by more than 700 homes annually*.

If results remain positive, a planning application could be submitted in the autumn of this year.
Technical and environmental investigations are ongoing and PfR will not submit a planning application if the results of investigations find that the site is not an appropriate location for a wind turbine.

To assist PfR with these technical investigations, a temporary 70m wind monitoring mast was recently installed at the site. This mast was erected after planning permission was granted by Newark & Sherwood District Council, and will provide valuable data about the local wind conditions.

Regional Manager for PfR, Jerry Sturman, said that he was encouraged after learning that:

“During a Public exhibition we held in November 2010, more than 70 attendees were asked to leave comments about the proposals. We were delighted by the response of residents and of the 29 respondents, 11 left supportive comments as compared with just four comments voicing concerns. We were also encouraged to learn that the Gunthorpe Village Plan had found that 60% local residents voted in favour of ‘appropriate wind generators’.

“Our preferred option for delivering all components and materials to the site is via a barge on the river Trent. This will avoid any temporary disruption to the residents and businesses of Gunthorpe and Trentside, and will capitalise on the Trent’s capacity to act as a green alternative to motorways and roads.” 

Members of the PfR project team will be holding two public exhibitions later this month to share some of the initial results of study work (including indicative photo montage images), and to seek further input from the local community.

Friday the 24th of June, 1pm to 7pm - Gunthorpe Village Hall

Wednesday the 29th of June, 1pm to 6:30pm – East Bridgford Village Hall

Further information is available on the project website at www.pfr.co.uk/gunthorpelock, or by calling 0800 731 7395.

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