Wind turbine planned for Ravenside Park

Shoppers would no doubt decide for themselves if plans go ahead for Ravenside Retail Park to have its own wind turbine.

Leaseholder Land Securities has applied for planning permission to erect a small scale wind turbine on the landscaped strip at the eastern end of the car park next to the road between the pedestrian crossing and the existing Welcome tower sign.

Land Securities claim it will be "an iconic feature" which complies with Rother's commitment to green issues and sustainable energy.

It will be in the form of a tower with an overall height of 14 meters, or 46ft, with a three-bladed wind turbine at the top.

In the application now available to examine on Rother's website, the leaseholder says the proposed location is suitable for the wind turbine as strong winds come off the sea front, and that its appearance would be "appropriate" within a retail park and immediate environment.

"A wind turbine is proposed to reduce the retail park's dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions."

There are also proposals to re-clad existing units on the site and "upgrade the existing somewhat out-dated shopping environment".

The idea is to re-clad eight existing retail units, replace existing roof feature and canopies on two, and replace with steel frame signage.

Land Securities comment; "The proposed re-cladding work will create uniformity within the retail park and create a more modern shopping environment for visitors."

The company believes Bexhill is currently losing out to shopping centres in Hastings and Eastbourne and thinks upgrading would attract further shoppers and reduce the spending flow out of town.

Ravenside is now 18 years old and has 14 large warehouse units, home to retail heavyweights such as B&Q, Curry's, Next, Boots, Halfords and Tesco.

Objection has already been posted on the website since the application was made on September 27.

Trevor Thomas insists it will be "an eyesore to most people", will distract drivers, provide less than one percent of the electricity used on the site, and will not demonstrate at all Rother's "commitment to green issues and sustainable energy."

He contacted the Observer to ask: "How could this monstrosity possibly increase the credibility of Rother to the green lobby? Granting planning permission for this is far more likely to arouse ridicule in the silent sane majority."

He is urging other "like-minded readers" to lodge their objections to planning application RR/2007/2595/P by writing to the planning department.