We Want Windpower!
Campaign in support of the Totnes Community Wind Farm (TCWF)

What we need now is a critical mass of support letters that gets noticed, representing views from all 15 parishes. We are trying to raise awareness of TRESOC, the importance of wind energy and the importance of community ownership.

The most important thing you can do is to write a letter.

We have provided some notes for reference, below, but the most effective letter will be one written in your own words.

Personal letters to your local Councillors are most effective when they are:
• from residents, unaffiliated with any organisation
• expressing what the TCWF turbines mean to you
• addressed to local councillors at his/her home address

• hand written if possible, in a concise, friendly and polite style

You can also write to our Member of Parliament, Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, The Constituency Office, Station Road, Totnes, TQ9 5HW

Please let us know that you have written a letter, copying us if possible: admin@tresoc.co.uk

Need inspiration?

See excerpts from letters written to local councillors and our MP here

Fancy hosting a letter-writing gathering?
If you would like someone from TRESOC to be there, we’ll make it happen.

Share your letter with your community

Once you have written your letter, why not send a version to the Totnes Times.

Background Notes

General reasons people often give in support of wind energy
• It will help in the fight against climate change
• The wind farm will help us reach our renewable energy targets
• It will help our country to produce its own energy
• It will help reduce our carbon footprint
• It’s a good location for a wind farm
• The wind farm will help bring jobs and visitors to the area
• I think wind farms are appealing to the eye
• The wind farm will help to raise awareness of climate change and renewable energy

Why does TCWF specifically deserve your support?
• Good wind speed
• Big contribution to South Hams renewable energy generation which stood at just over 2MW at the end of 2010, divided over 200 micro projects
• Outside any landscape or wildlife designated areas
• No radar issues
• Easy access from the main road
• Easy grid connection onsite
• Chance for locals to invest in renewables project of a larger scale
• Far enough away from households to protect residential amenity (noise)

National Policy
The Government is committed to increasing the proportion of energy we use from renewable sources. Find out about the critical role of on-shore wind power in meeting this commitment from the UK Renewable Energy Roadmap here:

Local Policy
Local Climate Change Policy aims to:
• Reduce CO2 emissions
• Promote Sustainable Development
• Encourage the development of appropriate business opportunities, and
• Raise community awareness

The South Hams District Council Climate Change Policy and Strategy, Oct 2007, states that “Climate change according to most commentators is a reality and recent evidence suggests that it is happening at a faster rate that previously expected. People everywhere will be affected by climate change and we here in the South Hams will not be immune. A recent sustainability appraisal of the District Council’s Local Development Framework Core Strategy published in June 2006 said that ‘climate change is one of the greatest challenges the district has ever faced’ and went on to say that ‘the potential negative impacts for both humans and biodiversity are considerable’"

Download the SHDC Climate Change Policy and Strategy here:

TRESOC’s point of view
We are confident that the majority of local people are in favour of community-owned windpower and we need to assure our elected representatives that this is the case.
Since September 2010 we have been working with our developer partner, Infinergy, on a range of environmental and technical surveys for inclusion in the planning application, which is being prepared for submission in the Spring of 2012.
We believe the location is the best site for wind power generation in the locality.

TRESOC’s Vision
• The profitable development of community owned renewable energy
• Using local investment to create a safe, secure, low carbon energy supply
• Generating opportunities for local business and employment.

TRESOC’s Accomplishments
• 502 members
• Raised £170,000 from the local community with individual investments from £20 to £20,000
• Reached over 11,000 homes with an open invitation to learn more
• Working with a technology partner who has won awards for community engagement
• Proposed a Community Benefit Fund for Harberton and Harbertonford
• Co-hosted site tours and a practical, first-of-its-kind noise workshop to accompany one of several community open days

For more information, contact Totnes Community Wind Farm on freephone 0800 8620309.