Blimp to fly at proposed wind turbines site

A blimp is to be flown at the site of a proposed wind turbine development in Nottingham to help interested parties gauge the scale of the project.

The University of Nottingham is organising for the display at Grove Farm, near Clifton Bridge, from Monday October 3 to Friday October 7.

The University has submitted planning applications to construct three wind turbines on the site, which will supply a third of the electricity needs of University Park.

The display has been arranged following requests from local residents to the planning authorities that a blimp be flown at the same height as the proposed turbines so they could get a better idea of the scale of the masts.

The 20ft blimp will be flown from approximately 9am to 5pm on each day – weather permitting – tethered at 80 metres, the proposed height of the rotor hubs.

The Grove Farm scheme is one part of a broad range of initiatives — including solar power, greater energy efficiency and increased use of sustainable transport — intended to help the University become a ‘greener’ institution.

It is estimated that the turbines, which are 126 metres tall to the highest point of the rotor, would reduce the University’s carbon emissions by 7,000 tonnes per year. This equates to 40 per cent of the target reductions required by 2015.

An assessment of all the University’s land holdings by the Carbon Trust identified the Grove Farm location, off Thane Road, as the most suitable for wind generation.

The University first announced the scheme in October 2010. A public meeting was held in Beeston in November 2010, at which residents were able to direct questions to senior University staff. Councillors and community representatives were also able to quiz staff at a Nottingham City Council area committee meeting in Clifton.

In March 2011, the University arranged a coach visit for 50 interested residents from Beeston and Clifton to a wind farm at Lindhurst Farm in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, so they could see modern turbines in action.

In April 2011, the University held further public meetings and exhibitions in Clifton and Beeston so that residents could find out more about the proposal and raise concerns with members of University staff.

The exhibitions included detailed maps and plans, artists’ impressions of what the proposed turbines might look like in situ, a summary of progress to date and work to meet stringent requirements in terms of environmental impact, wildlife, noise and other considerations.

Formal planning applications were submitted to Nottingham City Council and Broxtowe Borough Council (the site straddles the boundary between these two authorities) in July 2011.