Development summary
We have not erected a wind farm, but instead we
are simply reducing our nursery electricity mains consumption
with our own renewable wind generated supply. There are three
11KW turbines in a row above the nursery at approx 90 degrees
to the prevailing wind. The turbines are classified as ‘small’
and are specially designed for inland power generation; the
turbine masts are 18m tall and the blade diameter is 13m.
Other than the turbines themselves, the only other kit is a
small control box at the bottom of each tower, the new cable
running underground from the turbines to the nursery and a new
import/export meter replacing the previous meter. This allows
us to export surplus energy into the national grid. The turbines
are estimated to produce between 75,000 & 90,000KWhr per
annum, approximately 80% of our current consumption. In addition
we are also aiming to reduce our overall consumption on the
nursery, to reduce the balance.
The site has several features that make it especially suitable
for a project of this type. The topography is excellent, there
are very few local interruptions to the airflow approaching
the site from most directions (buildings, trees & windbreaks
etc), the electric supply connection point is close enough to
be viable and we have a very local 24hr demand. Despite the
open site, the turbines will not be overlooked by many residencies,
in fact the nearest occupied residence is our own house.
Site history
We started the nursery business in 1984, it covers approx 10
acres and currently employs 22 permanent staff (13 full time)
increasing to 32 employees during peak periods. We produce a
wide range of perennials and herbs grown in coir fibre pots
for supply to garden centers in central southern England and
a range of young plants produced in our own micropropagation
laboratory for supplying other growers around the UK.
The micropropagation laboratory is the unit that uses the majority
of the power with air conditioned growth rooms and electrical
lab equipment. We have a 24hr demand for power to run the growth
rooms, although usage is higher during the working day. The
unit is amongst a select few in the UK specialising in the bulking
up of perennial crops for nurseries that wish to introduce new
varieties to the market.
The wholesale ornamental horticultural sector has experienced
challenging trading conditions over the past 7 years with very
tight margins and low returns. In response, over the last 6
years, we have been developing our own specialist market, aiming
to be far more eco friendly. We introduced waxed card marketing
trays, now superseded by our new reusable/returnable wooden
trays, we moved from growing in plastic pots to coir fibre pots
and introduced our own in-house printed wooden descriptive and
price labels. These major production changes have gone hand
in hand with a drive to try and become more sustainable within
the company as a whole. We recycle a huge proportion of our
waste, have built ponds and planted hedges to encourage wildlife
and natural predation of crop pests. The installation of the
wind turbines is part of our continuing efforts to make a positive
contribution to our community and environment within the restraints
of running a viable business.
Local benefits
In a district where the carbon footprint per head of population
is particularly high, this project would make a significant
local difference, saving over 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide production
each year.
As one of the most progressive suppliers in our market, promoting
more eco-friendly ways of doing things, we would really like
to encourage a wider uptake of the sustainable opportunities
available to our local communities.
With this is mind, we are offering each of the three surrounding
parishes, an annual donation for ten years, to be put towards
a community sustainability project of their choice. For example
investing in renewable energy, energy conservation or another
area of environmental concern. There are many opportunities
around, such as interest free loans, grants and Feed In Tariffs,
to encourage renewable energy schemes that often greatly favour
community projects. These could provide ongoing cost savings
and create a positive influence on other local sustainable developments.
We are proposing a donation of 0.5p for every KWhr of energy
produced by the turbines to each parish. This should amount
to approximately £450 pa if the turbines perform as predicted
(90,000KWhr).
More information
Below you will find more detailed project plans, turbine information
and photomontages. There are two files, the project description
and site notes with lots of text detail with a few images (approx
1.3MG) and the second is a series of photos from the surrounding
area of the views to the site including scaled images of the
turbines incorporated into some shots (approx 10MB). These are
the support documents put together for the planning application.
You will need a broadband connection, as the files are quite
big.
Design
and Access Statement and Planning Statement for the siting of
three 11KW Gaia Wind Turbine at Kirton Farm Nurseries Ltd, Winchester
(2.3MB)
Landscape
Character Assessment (9.9MB)
(click
on the links above to open the full application documents, you
will need Adobe Reader, if you don't already have it, click
to download your free copy)
We really believe that renewable energy generation will play
a vital role in the future as the world attempts to move away
from burning fossil fuels. We are fortunate to have access to
a prime site and the opportunity to set up a local, renewable,
clean energy source, as well as promoting further sustainability
projects in the local community.
