WITH reference to Michael Trotman’s letter on October 26 about the proposed gigantic wind turbine at Ford (Follow link), the Chilterns Conservation Board has formally objected to the planning application because of the hugely detrimental effect it would have on some of the finest views from the Chiltern Hills.

The Chiltern Hills are nationally-protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning they represent one of the finest landscapes in the country. There are some wonderful viewpoints along the Hills, looking over the Vale of Aylesbury, but a 101m high wind turbine at Ford would spoil the view forever, particularly when taken with other recently proposed and approved wind turbines (at Henton and Quarrendon near Aylesbury).

The approved turbine at Quarrendon will be 149m to blade tip, over twice as high as the County Hall tower block in Aylesbury, and will permanently blot the view from popular viewpoints on the Chilterns like Coombe Hill and Whiteleaf Hill.

The natural beauty of the Chiltern Hills, which all local councils have a duty to protect, is greatly affected by what happens in the surrounding countryside. We need to be vigilant to make sure this beauty is not degraded by intrusive developments around its edge.

Colin White MRTPI, Planning Officer, Chilterns Conservation Board