Wind turbine proposed for Hester's Way

Cheltenham could see its first wind turbine if an application for one in Hester's Way gets the green light.

If permission for the 15-metre structure in Springfield Park is granted it would provide 17 per cent of the energy needed to run the nearby Springbank Community Resource Centre.

The plans submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council this week also include an application for the use of solar panels on top of the centre in Springbank Way. It is thought about 60 would provide a further eight per cent of energy for the £2.8 million building which opened in 2007.

Andy Hayes, manager of Hester's Way Partnership, which operates from the Centre, said: "Supplying renewable energy to the building would obviously allow us to reduce our costs. The main aim of the project is an educational one to highlight global warming and highlight the need to improve our energy efficiency and use different forms of energy."

As part of the project he said presentations on the use of wind and solar energy would be taken to schools in Hester's Way, as well as to local community buildings. There are also plans to have a digital display board in Springbank Community Resource Centre showing how much energy the renewable sources are producing every minute and how much carbon is saved.

Andy added: "We're committed to doing this work to raise the profile of renewable energy in the local community and to try to encourage people to take steps towards making their homes more efficient.

"It would be the first wind turbine in Cheltenham. The idea is for it to go in Springfield Park. It must be at least 50 metres away from domestic properties."

The entire project would cost £90,000, £30,000 of which would be for the turbine.

The stem of the turbine would be 15 metres high and the blade diameter 5 metres, so at its rotational peak the total height of the turbine would be 17.5 metres.

"They are very attractive pieces of architecture and will be a great asset to the area with great educational opportunities attached," added Andy.

The partnership plans to apply for solar panels at the Hester's Way Resource Centre, in Cassin Drive, at a later date.

A council spokesman confirmed this is the first turbine application for Cheltenham and it would be dealt with within eight weeks. "The land is owned by the council so the application will probably go before committee because it's got a high level of public interest," he said.

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