The case study

This was the first ever case study to examine what it means for a rural business to develop small scale renewable energy for its own needs in the context of the North Wessex Downs AONB - a legally protected landscape. Our unique project was supported by the North Wessex Downs AONB through their Sustainable Development Fund.

Our aim for the project was to come up with solutions that fit in well with the countryside. We brought together people’s ideas and concerns, at the same time as drawing advice from independent experts.

Community Engagement happened at the earliest possible stage, prior to having any proposals, as we researched the feasibility of different options. To help raise awareness about Renewable Energy in a rural AONB context, we documented this whole process, and created these web pages.

LDA Design were selected as the lead consultants and the landscape experts, bringing together the case study as a whole. Independent facilitator Alison Millward developed our stakeholder engagement plan and led the workshops. Kevin Cloutter of Future Energy Solutions (a local company) provided technical expertise on renewable energy, and provided information to help everybody understand wind power.

The workshops

Involving stakeholders at such an embryonic stage is a positive way of doing things. We began a dialogue with stakeholders before having any plans on paper, so they had a real opportunity to influence the creative process.

Over 100 stakeholders were invited. Delegates included many of our nearest neighbours, a representative of Lambourn Parish Council, a local planning officer, other councillors from the AONB, and people from and representatives of organisations such as Thames Valley Energy, The Ramblers, RSPB and CPRE.

Workshop 1

The first workshop introduced the idea of Renewable Energy at the farm, what we were already doing and what different sources we are considering. Delegates went on a farm tour, so they could view the landscape of Sheepdrove Organic Farm for themselves.

We went on to think about the possibility of generating our own electricity with Wind Power. Delegates started by considering what different options would match 100% of our needs. A wind energy expert presented 5 examples of different sized turbines and how many of each type would be needed. This ranged from a single model of very a tall Enercon type of turbine, to the alternative equivalent of about 16 – 18 much smaller Gazelle models.

The overall response at the workshop seemed to show that the impact of the 100% scenario would be very difficult to make acceptable on the farm's land, and the strongest opposition was against the largest turbines; but while smaller sizes seemed more suitable there was the issue of needing more of them. It was clear that so many Gazelle turbines might make an undesirable sight and therefore might also ‘harm’ the landscape character.

Delegates had a question-and-answer session, and then discussions to gather what people felt were the potential benefits, impacts and what could be done to limit impact, avoid the most visible high points of land and yet locate generators where there was enough wind. The following ways of minimising impact on the landscape were suggested:

• Use slope and land form
• Mount wind systems on buildings
• Place turbines close to buildings or in association with them

All sorts of concerns were raised, including questions about necessary infrastructure like service roads, the threat to birds, nearness to residents, the effect on people using the byways, and the potential to scare horses. So we had lots of things to think about which began to exclude many locations.

Stakeholders asked for more information about energy and targets for the farm. They also asked us to compare the cost of solar power to create the same amount of electricity.

We had plenty of positive feedback about the first workshop, and people said they were pleased to be invited to contribute. To download a Word document that summarises the discussions at Workshop 1 click here.

Action after Workshop 1

To take these findings forward, and to answer questions raised in meeting, the professional team began work on:

• calculating what it would take to make 100% of the farm’s electricity needs with solar cells (photovoltaics)
• more focussed information about the wind energy options
• organising a visit to view existing local turbines
• evaluating the farm landscape
• investigating constraints and mapping them out clearly
• creating photomontages of what different wind turbines would look like at the farm

Many constraints and potential impacts were taken into account and these were marked out on a map. Sheepdrove Organic Farm considered what a reasonable target might be for renewable energy at the farm, looking at a mix of renewable energy solutions alongside wind power, like anaerobic digestors, solar power and biofuels. Research about the farm’s energy needs by Forum for the Future helped to identify priorities.

Viewing local turbines 24th Feb

Several stakeholders joined Rivka Fine from consultants LDA, and Jason Ball from the farm, to view existing local wind power installations. These were a 24-metre installation near Didcot, Oxfordshire and a 47-metre generator at Faccombe, which is within the North Wessex Downs AONB.

The turbine near Didcot looked rather small from our viewpoint about 1km away and seemed to suit the setting because it was near the buildings. However it was not turning and indeed FES has informed us that many small turbines are useless near buildings – much bigger ones are needed to overcome the effect of turbulence and shelter from the wind. Two stakeholders had been to see the site close-up and said the turbine looked ‘massive’ when viewed from nearby.

One of the farm’s neighbouring residents said "It's not as bad as I expected" when we arrived at the Faccombe turbine - although that was shortly followed by, "But I wouldn't want to see it from my kitchen window." Everyone generally agreed that while the Faccombe turbine seemed to fit the local landscape, it would be very difficult to have something of that scale on Sheepdrove Organic Farm without having a high visual impact. However it was noted that modern designs were now much quieter than this particular 2-blade model, which is now quite outdated.

Summary notes of the visits are available to download – click here.

Workshop 2

A total of 56 people attended the second stakeholder drawn from local businesses, Non Governmental Organisations, residential neighbours, local authorities and statutory agencies. A few neighbours could not come but expressed support for the farm's ideas.

Some people were new to the case study, but many had already attended Workshop 1 or they had seen the briefing paper. Alison Millward, the independent facilitator, reminded stakeholders that the workshops were only an academic exercise - intended to explore the possible impacts of renewable energy, especially wind energy installations.

Landscape consultants LDA Design presented their landscape analysis, and showed us the new Constraints Map. (See bottom of page). This had been developed further following the concerns we gathered through consultation meetings, and background research into issues such as biodiversity and archaeology.

The energy experts Future Energy Solutions (FES) working closely with LDA had created a range of photomontages to show what various turbines would look in the farm landscape. Images of different sized models were superimposed on top of real photographs of the farm. Different ways of reducing visual impact were explored, such as using slope, nearness to buildings, smaller size, and mounting very small turbines on top of buildings.

The stakeholder feedback is recorded in the Workshop 2 summary notes, but here is a taste of the responses we had:

• We had spoken support, letters and emails from supportive neighbours and customers.
• We listened to a range of comments on the photomontages, and most were negative.
• Some delegates liked the tallest turbines and said they were like monuments. Most were very much against the tall Fuhrlander turbine (57m high), due to the high visual impact.
• Medium sized windmills met less opposition, and some delegates even suggested that we should select higher ground than the photomontage showed.
• Some people were absolutely against any form of wind energy and even disliked the smallest building-mounted generators.
• A few people said that the farm owners should consider putting a turbine near their house.
• Statements that showed an effort to balance lots of issues included a suggestion that one or two of the taller turbines might be preferable for the landscape, because otherwise groups of many more short windmills would be needed to create the same energy, and at a higher cost.

FES showed us the calculations for what it would take to install an array of solar cells capable of generating 100% of the farm’s electricity. The surface area would be 6827 square metres (almost 1.7 acres) and it would cost £4.43 million, equivalent to £5,000 per kilowatt.

The summary notes for Workshop 2 can be downloaded as a Adobe PDF file. Simply click here. If you need the free PDF reader software just follow this link: Adobe Reader.

The final report

Sheepdrove Organic Farm has learned a lot from the case study project and we think that the participants did too. The independent consultants LDA have now produced a final report. You can download a report about the farm's perspective and also the Final Report.

The AONB community will be able to use the case study and information sources like these web pages to inform them about renewable energy solutions and their potential benefits or impacts. Developers, local authorities and the North Wessex Downs AONB can use the case study to inform the way they deal with renewable energy developments, particularly wind energy.