Wind Farm project seeking £1/2m windfall

8:30am Tuesday 17th April 2007

A LAST-minute bid to raise money to get a wind farm up and running has raised £300,000 in two days.

The Westmill Farm Co-operative is trying to build a farm in Watchfield.

It posted an urgent message on its website urging members to help raise the £500,000 still needed by the end of April.

The seemingly desperate move attracted a massive contribution from eager members hoping to rescue the project.

But the project's director, Angela Duignan, allayed any fears about whether the money would be raised on time, saying that more than £300,000 had already been raised in the last two days alone.

Westmill has issued a deadline of April 30 for members to raise the total sum required.

However, Ms Duignan said: "Our members are behind us, and they have voted to carry out this project."

She observed that the project would provide environmentally friendly energy to the thousands of people living in the area.

Upon completion, the £6m Westmill Wind Farm in Watchfield will have the capacity to supply energy to some 3,700 homes.

She also added that although the project was likely to bring employment opportunities to the area, it was not the main reason behind the setting up of the wind farm.

The development is spearheaded by land owner Adam Twine, Energy4All, and Westmill Farm Co-operative.

At least five turbines, standing at 81 metres tall, will be put up at the Watchfield site.

The project was given the go-ahead two years ago after farmers in the area decided to help in the fight against global warming.

Ms Duignan said that they are intending to work with schools in the area to raise awareness on energy conservation.

Car firm Honda has also joined the push for renewable energy and a number of schools in Swindon are also seeking to switch to the use of wind turbines.

The Great Western Hospital is also investigating whether it can introduce wind turbines as an environmentally-friendly and cost-effective measure.