Wind Farms & Energy - Fewcott
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In November 2008, Bolstertone plc announced a proposal to build a £10m windfarm on farmland between Fewcott and Fritwell, near Bicester, consisting of four 125 metre (400 feet) turbines adjacent to the M40, close to Cherwell Valley Services.
Public exhibitions were held at Fewcott Community Hall during November, for local residents from Ardley, Fritwell and Bucknell to learn more about the proposal and to give their response.
Director of Bolsterstone Mike Corker said: "There have been a lot of searches going on over the country for suitable sites. We have probably come up, in three years, with only 10 we think that could be possible. Obviously, somewhere like a motorway corridor is helpful in that the regional spatial strategy for South East England already identifies this area as suitable in landscape terms for renewable energy projects."
Bolsterstone said Fewcott is considered to be a good location, because it has good wind speed, no aviation issues, no communication links issues, close to a grid connection, was an accessible site, not in a designated protected area and there would be limited visual impact.
In January 2009, CPRE Oxfordshire submitted its comments to Cherwell District Council on Bolsterstone's planning application, calling for the application to be refused. LINK:CPRE Oxfordshire letter to Cherwell District Council.
We argued that the proposal would cause unacceptable damage to the character of the countryside of the District, and was contrary to a wide number of old and new Plan policies.
In April 2009, Cherwell District Council planning committee voted unanimously against their own officer's recommendations that the proposed four-turbine facility on farmland between Fewcott and Fritwell be given approval.
In November, Bolsterstone appealed against the decision and it went to a Public Inquiry in the Spring of 2010.
CPRE Oxfordshire was represented at the Public Inquiry, where we made our case against the proposed wind farm.
In July 2010, the wind farm was given the go-ahead by the planning inspector. Following the lengthy public inquiry, inspector Mr John Watson ruled that Bolsterstone could build the four 125-metre-tall turbines, a control building and access.
In his summary the inspector accepted that there would be a degree of harm caused to the landscape, the built environment and local villages, but said: "I conclude that the benefit would outweigh the harm."
This was seen as a key test of policy on wind turbines in Oxfordshire and both CPRE Oxfordshire and local campaigners were extremely disappointed at the result. We believe it will pave the way for other large turbines in the open countryside.
Find Out More
Below are a list of links to further information regarding this campaign: