Since the opening of the bypass some fourteen years ago, Tolpuddle has enjoyed a remarkable renaissance with a much invigorated community spirit and some splendid new housing. However, in August 2012 a dark and unwelcome shadow fell upon the village and the neighbouring communities of Milborne St Andrew, Affpuddle, Briantspuddle, Puddletown and even Bere Regis. West Coast Energy (AKA West Dorset Wind Energy Ltd) announced their intention to erect nine giant (and the word is used advisedly) wind turbines north of Tolpuddle and south west of Milborne St Andrew. The height of each proposed turbine is mind-blowing at 126.5 meters to the tip of the blade (80 meters to the hub of the tower) thus the swept area of each turbine would be 1.6 acres.
From August 2012 to February 2013 we were kept waiting for the fateful news that the planning application had been put in to West Dorset District Council. Whilst waiting, the blighted communities hit the ground running - an action group, Tolpuddle Against Industrial Turbines (Taint), was formed and now represents implacable opposition to this lunatic, out of scale to the gentle landscape, scheme. The application by West Coast Energy is a staggering 1170 pages long; it attempts to make light of the extensive potential damage to landscape, wildlife, archaeology and human health, to say nothing of the intensely irritating noise reported from other sites.
With nearly 1000 letters of objection to the proposal received by West Dorset District Council, Taint is very confident that sense will prevail and this damaging scheme will be thrown out. The potential gain is entirely financial to the landowners (up to £60,000 p.a. income/turbine/year) and entirely negative to those unfortunate enough to live nearby. The neighbouring communities have made it abundantly clear this industrial development is not wanted; the fight against it will continue vigorously.
We hope that those of you against the development will support fund raising events. Please see the website News/Events page which will be updated regularly.
You can join TAINT via the membership contact on the contacts page.