MADAM,

I am delighted to hear that the Severndale Farm turbine in Tidenham will at last go ahead if the High Court rules in its favour (Chepstow Beacon, 8th February).

Despite the claims of a small number of Tidenham residents who oppose the wind turbine, every survey and petition has produced a ratio of local people in its favour of two or three to one, including among those who live closest to the proposed site. The sad fact is that the last appeal in the High Court to prevent the construction of the turbine was not fought on the merits of the turbine itself, as it was accepted that the project was environmentally and economically sound. The objections were to the community benefits attached to the production of this clean renewable source of energy. If the profits had been going into private hands with no benefit to the local community, those opposed to the turbine would not have had a case.

A similar scheme already exists in St Briavels and has proved extremely popular. Local groups have received substantial sums of money that have helped to regenerate the village.

We look forward to seeing similar local community projects benefit the hamlet of Wibden and the Tidenham area in a similar manner in the very near future.

Fiona Bowie

(Forest of Dean Green Part Membership Secretary, Tutshill)