Myth : Rural areas have a low carbon footprint

Rural communities often have higher carbon footprints than their urban counterparts as well as significant quality of air issues. This is due to a number of factors: the need to drive longer distances, a lack of energy choice leading to the use of polluting fuels (coal, heating oil, wood), and the agricultural output of greenhouse gases

Renewable Energy - Westmills Wind Farm

Westmills is the first 100% community owned wind energy project in the south of England and provides for the needs of around 2500 homes.

Did you know?

While the noise produced by some older wind turbines caused problems for local communities, modern turbines have succeeded in engineering the noise out.
Westmills wind farm is officially popular with its local community according to a recent report by the BBC.

What are we doing?

A five turbine wind farm has been built within half a mile of the village of Westmills in South Oxfordshire, England.
The turbines started generating electricity in February of 2009 after a long planning haul patiently negotiated by landowner Adam Twine.
The wind farm is 100% community owned and provides electricity for around 2500 homes.

What are the results?

More than 200 local people bought into the wind farm co-operative and now receive a financial return on their investment.
Neighbours within half a mile of the wind farm say that the wind farm is not a problem. They believe it is a local landmark which brings in business.

Source: BBC NEWS video, 31 July 2009: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/8178896.stm