Broadview

< Back to all news articles 21 Dec 2011 - Pilrow YouGov survey shows public support for wind energy

Developers of the proposed Pilrow wind farm near Rooksbridge have welcomed a poll which shows that 56 per cent of the British public support the expansion of wind energy, compared to only 19 per cent who are opposed.

The YouGov poll, which was commissioned by the Sunday Times, also found that 60 per cent of the 1,696 respondents support further government investment in wind energy.

Tom Cosgrove, Project Manager at Broadview Energy Limited, said: “This is a robust and authoritative piece of national research which shows that the public understands why wind power is so important in helping the UK to improve energy security and tackle climate change. Opposition to wind farms, whilst typically vocal, is often very localised to a particular development and this research shows that it is not an accurate reflection of wider public opinion.”

Broadview is working on a planning application for up to six wind turbines on farm land immediately east of the M5 motorway, between the villages of Rooksbridge and Mark, Somerset.

A visit to an existing wind farm is being planned for early February, which will give the community an opportunity to experience turbines in operation.  Broadview will also be holding a series of exhibitions later that month to enable residents to view the latest plans.

Mr Cosgrove also stated: “Open communication with the local community is crucial. We do recognise that the wind farm will introduce an element of change into the local area and it is therefore important that we ensure residents are fully aware of the project’s potential impacts and are given the opportunity to address their concerns with us.  However, it is clear from the poll that the majority of respondents are considering the broader picture. Our reliance on fossil fuels must change and onshore wind power is making a tangible and crucial contribution to the UK’s energy needs. This is an opportunity for the Somerset community to get involved in this energy revolution and play a part in helping to secure the UK’s future energy security.”
The YouGov poll also found that the public supports a wider move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy. It asked respondents: “Thinking about the country's future energy provision, do you think the government should be looking to use more or less of the following?". This generated the following results:
 
Solar power
More than at present - 74%
Less than at present - 6%
Maintain current levels - 12%
Not sure - 9%

Wind farms
More than at present - 56%
Less than at present - 19%
Maintain current levels - 15%
Not sure - 9%

Nuclear power stations
More than at present - 35%
Less than at present - 27%
Maintain current levels - 23%
Not sure - 15%

Oil power stations
More than at present - 10%
Less than at present - 47%
Maintain current levels - 27%
Not sure - 17%

Coal power stations
More than at present - 16%
Less than at present - 43%
Maintain current levels - 25%
Not sure - 17%

Notes to editors:

1. Broadview Energy Limited www.broadviewenergy.com develops wind energy projects in the United Kingdom that will generate clean, sustainable energy. Broadview takes projects from site identification, through the planning process, to construction and operation. The company’s first wind farm (near Aberdeen) entered into operation in January 2010. Broadview has a number of other projects at various stages of the development process throughout the United Kingdom.

2. More information on the Pilrow wind farm can be obtained via the dedicated project web pages: www.pilrowwindfarm.com

3. The full Sunday Times YouGov poll can be found online here: http://cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/gm4jg0973n/Sunday%20Times%20Results%20111125%20VI%20and%20Trackers.pdf [The wind energy results are on page 9].

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sue Amiel at Spirit Public Relations (samiel@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk / 0117 944 1415).