CPRE’s Gloucestershire branch has welcomed the Inspector’s decision to refuse permission to build four 120 metre wind turbines in the Berkeley Vale.

In his Appeal Decision, Richard Thomas, the inspector appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government said he agreed with the view of Stroud District Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) that the proposed development would impact much more on the surrounding area than Ecotricity had indicated.

Given the high landscape sensitivity of the area, which lies within the setting of the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and Stinchcombe Conservation Area and to other heritage assets, he said: “I consider that the cumulative harm is of such magnitude that it outweighs the benefits of the proposal.”

CPRE Gloucestershire Vice Chair, Richard Lloyd, who gave evidence at the Appeal Inquiry said: “In reaching a decision whether or not to build such a wind farm, a balance has to be struck between the value a wind farm brings to the community and the impact on that same community. The Berkeley Vale Wind Farm proposal was for four 120-metre wind turbines, only marginally lower than the towers of the first Severn Crossing. CPRE’s view, which the Inspector shares, is that this would have a huge and negative visual impact on the surrounding communities.

“The benefits of the proposal in terms of producing renewable energy also have to be weighed against the significant harm that the proposal would cause to the setting of and views from the Cotswold AONB and we are pleased that the Inspector acknowledged this in his ruling. The AONB is an important national asset, drawing tourism revenues into the area and its conservation is accorded great weight in planning policy.

Although we support renewable energy technologies, this is a very welcome decision which we hope will encourage a more sensitive approach to turbine location in Gloucestershire and elsewhere.”

CPRE Gloucestershire – notes for editors

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. It advocates positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, it has a branch in every county. www.cpre.org.uk    www.cpreglos.org.uk 

Why is CPRE Gloucestershire’s view relevant?

Over a third of Gloucestershire’s countryside remains unprotected. CPRE has been standing up for the countryside for over 80 years. Unlike many environmental charities, CPRE has no vested interests; the organisation owns no land and relies solely on donations and grants.   It is politically independent. CPRE is concerned with land use across England, urban as well as rural. Its campaigning is evidence-based, reasoned and authoritative. Many CPRE members nationally and in Gloucestershire are experts in the planning system at all levels, local, regional and national.

 PR contact: Nicky Godding, Nicky Godding Communications, Glebe Farm House, The Street, Daglingworth, Cirencester, Glos GL7 7AE. Tel/Fax: 01285 653006.   email: nicky@nickygodding.co.uk,.  Mobile: 0 7966 510401

Fiona has also agreed to be a Vice President of CPRE Gloucestershire, the local branch of the 86-year old national charity that promotes the beauty and diversity of rural England and seeks to secure the long-term future of the countryside.

Chairman of CPRE Gloucestershire Charlie Watson is delighted that the organisation has attracted such a high profile speaker: “Dame Fiona personally drove the National Trust’s campaign against the Government’s plans to make it easier for developers to build on the countryside. She has led the National Trust for 11 years and during her time membership has grown significantly, along with visitors to National Trust properties.”

Charlie added: “Her objectives for the countryside fit well with those of our members and we look forward to hearing her views, especially at a time when she may feel able to speak more broadly as she nears the end of her tenure at the National Trust to become Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge.”

CPRE Gloucestershire is currently involved in campaigning on a number of issues, including proposed wind turbines  in the Severn Vale close to the escarpment of the Cotswolds and the potential scale of development of a proposed waste incinerator at Javelin Park.

Last month following its review of the Joint Core Strategy, an initiative of Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils, CPRE Gloucestershire criticised its out of date housing and jobs projections. Charlie added: “We welcome the decision by these three councils to work together, but their current projections for housing and jobs need re-examining as they are based on past trends, not well-researched future forecasts.

“Over a third of the Gloucestershire countryside remains unprotected.   We have to ensure that it doesn’t fall prey to inappropriate and indiscriminate and unrecoverable development. The support of Dame Fiona Reynolds will undoubtedly help.”

The CPRE Gloucestershire AGM is open to members only. To become a member of this vibrant and active organisation, contact the Gloucester Office of CPRE on 01452 309783 or email info@cpreglos.org.uk

CPRE Gloucestershire – notes for editors

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. It advocates positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, it has a branch in every county. www.cpre.org.uk    www.cpreglos.org.uk

Why is CPRE Gloucestershire’s view important?

Over a third of Gloucestershire’s countryside remains unprotected. CPRE has been standing up for the countryside for over 80 years. Unlike many environmental charities, CPRE has no vested interests; the organisation owns no land and relies solely on donations and grants.   It is politically independent. CPRE is concerned with land use across England, urban as well as rural. Its campaigning is evidence-based, reasoned and authoritative. Many CPRE members nationally and in Gloucestershire are experts in the planning system at all levels, local, regional and national.

The success of a campaign to stop 48 houses being built in the Slad Valley, within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty immortalized by Laurie Lee in ‘Cider with Rosie’ has been confirmed after house developer Barratt Homes has failed to lodge an appeal within the given time.

In August 2011 Stroud District Council’s planning committee refused Barratt Homes’ application and the house builder had until 10 February 2012 to appeal.  In the face of determined opposition from local people who set up the Save Slad and Uplands from Development (SSUD) supported by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Gloucestershire branch and others, it has decided not to do so.

Geof Murray, Chairman of CPRE Gloucestershire’s Stroud district, said: “In November 2010 Barratt Homes announced its intention to build up to 50 houses at Wades Farm, in the beautiful Slad Valley.  The ‘Save Slad and Uplands from Development’ group was formed by Stroud residents alarmed by the prospect of loosing a precious open space and destroying the character and appearance of the beautiful Slad Valley for ever.”

Simon Arundel, Co-chair of SSUD Campaign Group said: “The loss of Wades Farm would have laid open the opportunity for inappropriate in-fill development encroaching into the countryside on both sides of the valley.  We are grateful for the support from so many who helped oppose this development.”

Opposition to the proposed development was also expressed by the Cotswolds Conservation Board, Natural England and Stroud Town Council and the campaign culminated in over 800 letters of objection to the District Council, the highest number recorded for a residential development in the district.

CPRE Gloucestershire has now nominated the campaign for the National Trust Octavia Hill Awards, which recognises those campaigning to protect green space.

Geof added: “The dedication and effort the group invested to defend this area of glorious countryside from unsustainable development was impressive.”

CPRE Gloucestershire – notes for editors

CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. It advocates positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have a branch in every county. www.cpre.org.uk    www.cpreglos.org.uk

Why is CPRE Gloucestershire’s view important?

CPRE has been standing up for the countryside for over 80 years. Unlike many environmental charities, CPRE has no vested interests; the organisation owns no land and relies solely on donations and grants.   It is politically independent. CPRE is concerned with land use across England, urban as well as rural. Its campaigning is evidence-based, reasoned and authoritative. Many CPRE members nationally and in Gloucestershire are experts in the planning system at all levels, local, regional and national.