Wind Turbines Are The Nation's Biggest Eyesore [13 November 2003]

Wind farms have topped a poll of the most offensive buildings in the UK, Country Life magazine has revealed today.

Wind farms led other eyesores, such as power stations, motorways and the service stations on the M1, in the poll because of their impact on the beauty of the countryside. Coming fifth in the poll were electricity pylons, which also have a dramatic visual effect.

The Country Life poll highlights the growing fear of the impact of wind farms on the landscape at a time when the Government has announced controversial new planning guidance making it easier to erect wind turbines. Several thousand new turbines will need to be constructed as the Government seeks to meet its obligation to provide 20% of the nation's energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Although the guidance acknowledges that the visual impact of turbines will vary from place to place, the Government is reserving the right to intervene where it considers that local authorities are being too precious about where turbines and other renewable technologies might be sited. The Ramblers' Association (RA) believes a more responsible approach would be to put far greater resources into decreasing energy demand, and to ensure that renewable energy projects are appropriate to the area they are in.

Other eyesores loathed by Country Life readers include Birmingham's New Street Station, Battersea Power Station and St. James's Shopping Centre in Edinburgh. The magazine also revealed that most people's responses were subjective, voting for buildings that affect them locally.


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The Ramblers' Association, while supporting the use of renewable energy, is increasingly concerned about the industrialisation of the countryside through large on-shore wind turbine developments. If you would like to know more about our charitable work to protect the beauty of the countryside click here.

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