Wind turbines set to swing into town

TOWN chiefs are set to take the next step in a bid to build four wind turbines after receiving tenders from firms keen to work on the project.

At a total cost of up to £6million, the giant structures will stand at key entrances to Ipswich on the A12 and A14.

The bold vision was outlined in July and town chiefs have now had responses from firms interested in carrying out preliminary investigative work.

Once appointed, the contractors will look into the viability of turbines at each of the sites and carry out consultations with members of the public and interested parties.

Two of the colossal 125m structures, which dwarf Big Ben and can fit a Boeing 747 plane within the diameter of the rotor blades, have been earmarked for land around Thorrington Hall, Belstead.

A further 125m turbine is in the pipeline for the Ravenswood area of Ipswich near the Shell garage on the A14 while a smaller 61.5m turbine is being lined up near the Bury Road park and ride site.

Louise Gooch, responsible for environment at Ipswich Borough Council, said the move could help make Ipswich one of the greenest towns in country, with the structures creating an impressive entrance to the town.

She said a meeting is due to be held next month to discuss the tendered bids.

“The tenders have come in and we are reviewing them and assessing which one will go forward.”

As part of the process trial masts will be installed to assess which sites are most likely to deliver the best wind results.

The turbines would power the equivalent of 1,200 homes each although the energy generated would be fed directly into the National Grid.

It is believed the structures could supply up to 4 per cent of Ipswich's energy needs.

Do you support the council's bid to build wind turbines in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk