Opera house bids to run on wind power

But, if the vision is to come to fruition, there will be a price to pay.

The proposed 700,000 mast will be some 70 metres tall '“ in an area of outstanding beauty.

Ringmer Parish Council members are to meet Mr Christie next month to consider the proposal further.

Mr Christie wants to build the massive turbine on Mill Plain, on the Downs between Glyndebourne and Ringmer, where an old windmill once stood.

The mill post is still there as a local landmark.

Ringmer planning chairman Cllr John Kay told the Express: 'A turbine there would be a visible landscape feature over a pretty considerable distance.

'There are alternative possible sites but, to catch the wind well, the turbine would have to be prominently located.'

Council chairman Bob Peters said: 'I think in principle it is a good idea and I would like to see a lot more wind turbines.

'It's the siting that bothers me, but I think we can come to some form of agreement.'

Said Mr Christie: 'Glyndebourne has a long history of careful environmental management and wishes to make a significant reduction in the contribution that it makes towards climate change by generating its own electricity from on-site renewable sources.

'The most effective option available would be to install a wind turbine with an output matched to the opera house's annual electricity consumption.

'Mill Plain has been used as a windmill site in the past and it could be a good candidate for the future.

'Glyndebourne has retained consultants to assess the feasibility of a project and investigate the relevant factors such as the effect on the landscape and wildlife.

'In addition to providing wind energy to power the opera house, any excess energy could be redistributed to benefit the local community.

'Glyndebourne would also work to ensure that the turbine became an important educational resource for local children, and seek to source as much of the construction activity as possible from local companies.'

An exhibition describing the proposal will be held October 11, 12 and 13.

Then there will be a public meeting at Ringmer Community College on October 17.

A planning application will not be submitted until the views of local people have been considered.

Added Mr Christie: 'We hope Express readers will wait until they have seen the exhibition before drawing conclusions and we hope they will share with us a concern and commitment for safeguarding our common environment.'