M4 drivers could soon see giant wind turbines as project takes big step forward

But there are concerns over the views from a nearby cemetery

14:09, 17 Jul 2025

Leigh Farm from above(Image: Google)

Plans to build two giant wind turbines near the M4 motorway east of Bristol are a "big-ticket item" for tackling climate change in South Gloucestershire [1]. The proposals have taken a huge step forward, with South Gloucestershire Council [2] deciding to lease Leigh Farm for the project.

But there are concerns that could scupper the planned turbines, including how visible they will be from a nearby cemetery. Together they would generate enough renewable energy to power thousands of homes, although one option is powering a nearby supercomputer.

The cabinet voted on Monday, July 14, to press ahead with the project to build turbines [3] on Leigh Farm.

But there are still several hurdles to overcome, including applying for and getting planning permission, with further public consultations and details scheduled later down the line.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Louise Harris, cabinet member for climate, said: "This will take us a long way in achieving our [climate goals]. This is to approve a grant to progress the project, and to grant a lease to Pucklechurch Parish Council who have proposals for a wonderful woodland, wildflower meadow and hay meadow, and for the allocation of a travelling showpeople site.

"This really is our big-ticket item for tackling climate change in South Gloucestershire. As it's being done through a community energy company, the community will be the ones who benefit from this investment."

The Bristol Energy Network would still need to apply to the council for planning permission for the project.

When this application is submitted, more details should be revealed about the planned turbines, as well as the woodland too. The two turbines together will generate 8.52 megawatts of electricity, the equivalent of providing energy to 6,000 homes.

Cllr Harris added: "When it comes to a planning application, if we get that far, it will be discussed and consulted on like any other planning application on anything else. Yes, the council owns this land but there are often planning applications involving council-owned land.

This will be treated exactly the same as any other planning application."

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One concern is how close the turbines would be to Westerleigh Cemetery and Crematorium, and whether the views would impact people visiting the cemetery. Council chiefs pledged to consult with the cemetery about these impacts. A site south of the M4 motorway could also be allocated for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, and one north of the M4 for travelling showpeople.

Another issue is grid capacity.

There is a bottleneck of developers trying to connect new solar farms and wind turbines to the electricity grid, which carries energy around the country.

This means a private connection could be installed, so the turbines power the nearby Bristol and Bath [5] Science Park, and specifically Isambard, an artificial intelligence supercomputer there.

References

^ South Gloucestershire (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
^ South Gloucestershire Council (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
^ project to build turbines (www.bristolpost.co.uk)
^ here (bit.ly)
^ Bath (www.bristolpost.co.uk)