Tesco's wind turbine bid rejected

May 28 2009 Buckinghamshire Examiner

TESCO has seen its environmentally friendly plans for a wind turbine at its Amersham store thrown out by councillors.

The supermarket giant submitted plans for a 10.6metre-high turbine at the store, in London Road, which it claimed would 'reduce its consumption of conventionally produced electricity'.

But Chiltern District Council (CDC) planning committee members blasted the plans as a form of 'tokenism' by Tesco with no real environmental benefits.

Councillor Nick Rose, CDC cabinet member for planning, sustainable development and transport, said: "The main reasons for refusal were the visual impact on the community and the location within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"Councillors thought it was a bit odd because it would be useless in a valley. There were thoughts that it was a piece of tokenism because they offered no other alternatives like solar panels.

"The shape of the wind turbine was visually intrusive. The planning committee is supportive of renewable energies and schemes like this but they have to be right."