WIND power could bring Basingstoke to the forefront of clean electricity if plans for giant turbines are approved.

Members of the council's environment overview committee unanimously supported the consideration of a wind farm installation in the borough, although approval will be subject to the normal planning procedures.

Councillors looked at proposals put forward by Wessex Windpower. The company wants to build between five and 10 turbines, each of which would comprise a three-bladed rotor, measuring 60 to 80 metres in diameter, set on top of 50 to 80 metre-high towers.

Wessex Windpower is expected to submit a planning application within the next few months to build anemometry masts to measure wind speeds and direction in the borough. Independent councillor Martin Biermann, who is vice chairman of the environment overview committee, was keen for the proposals to get off the ground, but recognises there could be opposition to the plans.

He said: "The next step is fundamentally to await a formal planning application, which looks as if it will initially be for installation of test equipment to confirm the finer details of anticipated wind patterns at proposed locations. The precise location for a wind farm is a sensitive issue which must be handled thoughtfully."

Cllr Biermann said he accepts that there would be limited direct benefit for Basingstoke residents apart from projecting the borough as "an area alert to, and sympathetic with, issues of sustainability."

He said: "In the longer term, Basingstoke residents should share the overall benefit to be derived from such installations in the form of cleaner and cheaper energy."

Cllr Biermann expects proposed locations to be made public soon which will allow residents to air their views.

He said: "I think some people might object to wind farm installations wherever they are located but, compared with many monstrosities already located in otherwise attractive locations, I look upon wind turbines as fairly attractive structures with quite a soothing impact when in operation. "Installations elsewhere in the UK tend to suggest a level of objection which eventually converts to enthusiasm when eventually operational."

Meanwhile, Basingstoke council has signed a contract with London Electricity to increase the supply of green energy in the town.

Renewable energy sources, such as hydro power and wind power, will be used to supply energy to the Parklands and Deanes campus buildings in London Road, Basingstoke, and other buildings managed by the council.

Basingstoke council's acting chief executive Gordon Holdcroft said: "The council is investigating many ways in which it can become more environmentally friendly. This is just one of many steps the council is taking to reduce its impact on the environment."

Unlike burning fossil fuels, green energy does not produce emissions of carbon dioxide as it is produced from natural resources.

The council estimates that CO2 emissions, previously produced by using conventional electricity, will be reduced by 748 tonnes a year.

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