School gets turbines after three-year battle
A PLYMOUTH school is celebrating after finally installing wind turbines on its campus after a bitter three-year dispute.
Coombe Dean School in Plymstock said it had taken a major step in reducing its carbon footprint with the 20 metre-high structures.
The wind turbines will also be used to educate students about how to take care of the environment.
The school admitted that the scheme had met 'determined and vociferous opposition from local residents', and it was refused permission by the city council.
Neighbours branded the turbines an eyesore, claimed they would make too much noise and were worried about the flickering from the whirring blades. Some even feared a blade could snap off and cause an accident.
However, the school took the application to a planning appeal and an inspector decided in November to grant permission.
"I consider that, on balance, the limited visual harm would be clearly outweighed by the practical benefits to the school and the wider environmental, economic and social benefits," he said.
The school said the turbines would meet between 20 and 25 per cent of its electricity needs and save up to 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.
However, staff added that the main benefit of the turbines would be to inspire and educate the pupils.
The school already has other environmental energy sources: solar panels on the roof and a ground source heating pump.
Data from the turbines will be loaded on to the school's IT network and used in lessons, alongside that from Coombe Dean's other energy sources.
Headteacher Pattrick Frean said: "Most people, including our own students, are wondering what the fuss was about. They look at the turbines and say, 'Is that it?'.
"The turbines are in keeping with the size of the school buildings."
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by Phil, Plymstock
Sunday, March 08 2009, 8:26PM
“Simon has a typical Coombe Dean attitude. Next, simon, we get them isolated. I see Coombe Dean have cut some trees down, I wonder if they will report that in their school mag.”
by Doris, Plymstock
Sunday, March 08 2009, 1:47PM
“Turbines are very loud again today. We¿ve added date and time to our noise nuisance diary and also taken a video recording. The turbine noise is a lot higher than the general background noise.”
by Margaret, Elburton
Sunday, March 08 2009, 12:11PM
“Coombe Dean Parent. If I had the time and money I would love to protest about all the wind turbines that are incorrectly located. As it is, I live next to CDS and that concerns me the most. What a strange way to argue your case ¿ just because NMA have incorrectly located their turbine doesn¿t mean that CDS should do the same. I really don¿t understand your attitude. These things are dangerous! Why are you prepared to risk your childs safety. Are you going to wait for an accident to occur before you face reality.”
by W A S T E O F M O N E Y, Plymstock
Sunday, March 08 2009, 10:26AM
“Very loud today, just what the Environmental Health people need. Interesting comment by "Coombe Dean Parent" stating that the school has legally erected the Turbines, he seems to have missed out the bit about, "they shall be no louder than 5 decibels above background noise to the nearest dwelling", that quite clearly will be coombe deans downfall. Bring it on.”
by Coombe Dean Parent, Plymstock
Saturday, March 07 2009, 6:51PM
“Margaret, I refer to my original question. If they are so dangerous, what protestation have you made with regard to the turbines situated at the National Marine Aquarium? Surely with the stronger winds in the Barbican area they are more likely to disintegrate and kill passers-by? I expect none. Your protestations are aimed solely at the school because you do not like what they have legally done. If it were about Public safety you would have protested the now 3 year old turbines long ago.”
by W A S T E O F M O N E Y, Plymstock
Saturday, March 07 2009, 2:01PM
“Simon and Coombe Dean Parent, spin, pure spin, all posted by the master of spin himself. You could hear the Turbines in the force 8, like I said spin. Who are you trying to fool. It was obvious that the solar panels would work, thats why you received no objections. You should become a politician, if you tell enough lies, sooner or later you start to believe them yourself.”
by Margaret, Elburton
Saturday, March 07 2009, 1:44PM
“Coombe Dean Parent. Wind Turbine Accident data for 2008 (all confirmed through official information releases up to 31 Dec. 2008).
Total number of accidents 82. Fatal accidents 6, Other human injury 8, Blade failure (including whole or pieces of blade thrown from turbine) 17, Fire 9, Structural failure 8 ,Ice throw 2 (but is known that the majority do not get reported), Environmental (including death of wildlife) 19, Other (including lightning strikes, mast fall-over) 13.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg - there are many more accidents that do not get formally reported.
On 5th January 2009 a wind turbine in Lincolnshire suffered a blade failure which fell to the ground. In this case the turbine was away from occupied buildings. If it had occurred at CDS the blade could quite easily have penetrated the roof of the occupied classroom below. As a parent I would have thought that you would want to ensure that your childs safety was paramount and all unecessary risk avoided.”
by Margaret, Elburton
Saturday, March 07 2009, 1:13PM
“Simon. A cleverly worded statement. There is no contention with the solar panels. Please can you tell us exactly what amount of power has been generated from the wind turbines alone.
The direction of the wind determines the amount of noise experienced. So far the school has escaped the worst, unlike the residents who have suffered greatly. The evidence is being collected and the school will be forced to act soon.”
by Coombe Dean Parent, Plymstock
Friday, March 06 2009, 10:00PM
“To all of those who are concerned about the turbines shedding blades. This is obviously a serious concern for you. As these are the same turbines as constructed outside the National Marine Aquarium, manufactured by a company called Proven. I ask what steps you have taken to protest for their removal, being in such a prominent, public place. Surely if a blade was shed from one of these it would cause even greater devastation, with the crowds of tourists that gather underneath them? Or is this just about location?”
by Simon, Plymouth
Friday, March 06 2009, 10:35AM
“According to the schools' combined meters for the solar panels and turbines, they're currently making 25.5kWh. The school knew that the turbines would only run a third of the time, this is common knowledge.
Since inception, the school has generated 906.5kWh of electricity (10:18 - 6/3/9).
During the Beaufort 8 winds the other day, you could hardly hear the turbines in the school, let alone anywhere else.
Nearly all of the children are extremely animated with the options for the next step towards powering our planet and saving our fossil fuel resources, something they struggled to visualise prior to the turbines.
Next.”