PRESS RELEASE

Local Economy at risk?

KNOll to Windfarm, the Action Group set up to oppose proposals for a wind farm close to Burnham-on-Sea and Brent Knoll in Somerset, are concerned that a key element of the local economy would be put at significant risk should planning consent be granted for the wind farm.

Tourism in Sedgemoor

Employment statistics produced by the Information Unit, Corporate Team of Somerset County Council for the year 2000 indicate that tourism related employment accounts for over a quarter of employment in the Sedgemoor area, typically in small businesses, and overall is the largest single sector in the local economy.

Such statistics are reinforced by simply driving around the area; there are numerous caravan parks, hotels, guesthouses, Bed and Breakfasts, and restaurants within Burnham and its immediate surroundings.

Tourism and Wind farms

Research from around the world, including USA, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Scotland and in Cumbria, indicates that the presence of wind farms can have a negative impact on tourism.

For example, the Cumbria Tourism Board’s Tourism Business Performance Survey 2004-Quarter 4 indicates that 39% of tourism-based businesses in the area believe wind farms will deter tourists completely.

Even the survey often quoted by proponents of wind farms, undertaken by MORI on behalf of the pro-wind farm Scottish Renewables Forum and British Wind Energy Association in September 2002 covering the islands of Argyll and Bute in Scotland, indicates that 8% of those surveyed felt the wind farms on the Island at the time [3 small ones] had a generally negative or completely negative effect on their impression of the island as a place to visit, and 2% said they would be less likely to visit again in the future. A similar percentage was unsure.

An independent review of this MORI survey pointed out that the survey only involved 307 people, over half of whom were not even aware of the wind farms; thereby making the percentage of those expressing a negative view much more significant.

Andrew Manning, spokesperson for Knoll to Windfarm comments

“It is important to remember that most businesses make very small profit margins, often less than 5% of their turnover. Relatively small falls in sales (especially from the discerning visitors) could quickly destroy profitability and impact the viability of a business.

Even a very small percentage fall in visitors to the area might be expected to wipe out the profitability of many local tourist businesses, creating unemployment, personal distress, and a strain on local government.

Even the best-case survey’s produced by the pro-wind lobby seem to indicate this may happen. This seems another un-necessary risk, and reinforces our view that the area between Burnham on Sea and Brent Knoll is not an appropriate site for a wind farm”

Contact: Andrew Manning 07765 896781.