title: Drivers of Public Attitudes towards Small Wind Turbines in the UK.
abstract: Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) are a growing micro-generation industry with over 870,000 installed units worldwide. No research has focussed on public attitudes towards SWTs, despite evidence the perception of such attitudes are key to planning outcomes and can be a barrier to installations. Here we present the results of a UK wide mail survey investigating public attitudes towards SWTs. Just over half of our respondents, who were predominantly older, white males, felt that SWTs were acceptable across a range of settings, with those on road signs being most accepted and least accepted in hedgerows and gardens. Concern about climate change positively influenced how respondents felt about SWTs. Respondent comments highlight visual impacts and perceptions of the efficiency of this technology are particularly important to this sector of the UK public. Taking this into careful consideration, alongside avoiding locating SWTs in contentious settings such as hedgerows and gardens where possible, may help to minimise public opposition to proposed installations.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland.
authors.forename: Cerian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tatchley
authors.affiliation: Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Paton
authors.affiliation: Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Harold Mitchell Building, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Minderman
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanley
authors.affiliation: Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D057231:Climate Change; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004463:Ecology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011639:Public Opinion; D059205:Renewable Energy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014919:Wind