VILLAGERS in St Briavels are embracing a wind of change.

A plan to generate renewable energy via a wind turbine has gained overwhelming support, as the community sets to benefit to the tune of up to £20,000 per year.

Livestock farmer Anthony Cooke has teamed up with Andrew and Sue Clarke of Woolaston-based the Resilience Centre to site a 330kW turbine, 50m-high wind monitoring mast and energy generator at Great Dunkilns Farm, off Bream Road, just outside the village.

The 67m-high turbine could provide power through the electricity grid to between 50 and 180 houses, depending on the strength of the wind, and Mr Clarke said the turbine will turn at least 75 per cent of the time.

The site chosen has satisfied any concerns from environmental and bat experts, and the size of the turbine will mean it would not be such a blot on the landscape as many other wind farms and fiercely opposed planned schemes, such as one recently defeated project north of Lydney.

Mr Clarke said the scheme was "revolutionary". Resilience has gone into partnership with the landowner Mr Cooke, to pay for the turbine. Once it has paid for itself – within a few years – a large proportion of profits will be placed in a community trust fund, and trustees will allocate funds to local causes.

Mr Clarke, who formerly worked in the oil industry, said: "We have held public exhibitions and let people know what we were planning to do.

"We're a local company and we were very keen to ensure the turbine would have a minimal impact on the environment."

He said that compared to more commercial wind power schemes, the community will be 20 times better off.

"This is our first project and we are developing eight other renewable energy schemes in the county designed to be of substantial benefit to communities.

"My wife and I have cashed in our pension schemes to fund our half of the turbine, and really believe this model could be the way forward in supplying clean, renewable energy."

About 50 residents have written in support of the plan, with only one couple opposing it.

The plan is due to be discussed by Forest of Dean District Council on Tuesday, and is recommended for approval.