Report of the Open Meeting held in Otley Village Hall on Wednesday 9th March, compiled by OtleyGreen

• About 90 people were present
• Proposal
To build a community wind turbine providing income for village projects.

It is estimated that the village could receive up to £6500 a year for the next 19 years* (rising with inflation).

The success of this proposal is dependent on receiving planning permission and grants to pay for the turbine.

This proposal has been made possible by the very generous donation of land by Brian and Austin Holmes.

• Meeting Poll ‘Should OtleyGreen apply for planning permission?’.
55% voted for and 45% against. About 20 people did not vote

The following issues were raised -

• Otley could raise £6500 a year by other means
OtleyGreen: The people of Otley do an amazing job of raising funds but it takes a lot of time and hard work. It is extremely unlikely that we could find the drive and means to raise extra £6500 a year

• The amount of electricity that the turbine would be produced is insufficient
OtleyGreen: The proposed turbine is estimated to produce 25000 units (KW hrs). This powers about 6.5 houses, based on the average UK consumption. We do not think that a larger turbine would be appropriate.

• Is wind power ‘green’?
OtleyGreen: It is estimated that it takes the turbine 18 months to ‘pay-back’ the power used to build it. An Otley Turbine would produce at least 18.5 years of green, pollution free electricity.

• Will the tariffs remain in place for 19 years?
OtleyGreen: The tariffs are covered by Government Statute. Because the Government wants money to go to domestic and community schemes, such as this, they are reviewing tariffs for ‘industrial’ size installations. The tariffs are paid by the electricity companies not the Government.

• The possibility of a planning precedent being set –
OtleyGreen: The crisis facing this country as our power stations reach the end of their working lives will be the main driving force for renewables across the country. A small community turbine is unlikely to affect future planning decisions.

• Whether money should be used to encourage renewable energy production.
OtleyGreen: The funds come from a finite pot. They are mainly be used by big landowners and companies. OtleyGreen is trying to ensure some of this pot for our community.

It was suggested that we should site a turbine at the Otley College. OtleyGreen is following up on this proposal

OtleyGreen Committee: A Barrett, David Chittock, Claire Courteney, Steve Czarnota, Chris Dix, Phil Sweet, Marilyn Mackley, Jayne and Richard Vaughan

*The tariff system was set up in 2010 for 20 years. If we install a turbine in 2011 there will be 19 years left.