The Minister of the Environment has refused an appeal for a wind turbine on a house after Planning officers criticised its "visual impact" on the building.

Tim Miller sought Planning permission for the 6.5 ft horizontal wind turbine to provide an example of domestic sustainable development on the Island.

He already has solar water heating panels in the roof of his home in Harbour Road, Warwick, but officers said the installation of a micro-wind turbine would ruin the appearance of the Grade Two listed building.

Mr. Miller argued the technology would serve "as a practical demonstration of what is necessary and possible in the pursuit of the ideal of more sustainable development".His application was also backed by Belco.

A letter to the Department of Planning on February 27 reads: "Belco endorses support for this application as the experience will serve to provide Bermuda with valuable information on viability of alternative forms of renewable energy which could ultimately be incorporated into the Island's overall energy mix to meet future requirements.

"However, despite the approval of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee objected to the installation and Mr. Miller's application was refused. The Development Applications Board said it was "not satisfied that the installation of a wind turbine on the east chimney will preserve and enhance the quality and character of the Grade Two listed building".

Mr. Miller's home is described as a "handsome house" built in the traditional Bermudian vernacular style. The 'horizontal axis' wind turbine was to be 6.5 ft in diameter and would have been fixed to the east chimney, generating up to 2,000-3,000 kilowatt hours of power a year.

The entrepreneur, who is a partner in eco company gogreen.bm, even suggested a trial period of one year for the wind turbine "to protect the public interest if the installation proves contentious", but this was also turned down.

Mr. Miller appealed the Development Applications Board decision on April 11 but officers rejected the appeal "because the design and details would have a detrimental visual impact on the listed building".

Last month, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield upheld their decision. Ms Butterfield was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The refusal illustrates the dilemma of balancing Bermuda's heritage and traditional architecture with the growing needs of sustainable development on the Island.

Yesterday, Mr. Miller, 41, said: 'Obviously I'm disappointed. But we want to speak to Planning again and hope we can come up with a suitable location.

"One of the things we want to achieve is an understanding of the performance of these devices, to provide some research into how they perform in varying wind conditions.

"An earlier letter to Planning documents his "disappointment with the lack of enthusiasm shown for this application from the Department of Planning, part of the Ministry of Environment tasked with vigorously promoting the principles of sustainable development".

Simon Hodgson of shy Architecture, writing as Mr. Miller's agent, told Planning officers: "The appellant requests that the Minister look to taking a much broader view of the importance of this initiative. Micro-energy generation must be a critical component of any sustainable development strategy for a small island nation particularly as it relates to reducing greenhouse gases emitted into the environment.

"Therefore with an initiative (sponsored by the Department of the Environment) in its very early stages, it is essential any case study potentially available for collecting data and analysis must be facilitated.

The Grade Two listed building status to the residence is secondary to these issues.

"Planning officers said they did not oppose the 'green' principles behind the application but that the turbine was simply in the wrong place. They advised Mr. Miller to install it at an alternative location, but Mr. Hodgson said this was "financially unfeasible" because of the 'wind profile'.

In a letter from the Planning Inspectorate on September 13, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Kevin Monkman admitted that "the Bermuda Plan 1992 Planning Statement is silent on micro-generation technology such as wind turbines" and that "striking a balance is key".

Mr. Monkman said: "Technical officers are supportive of micro-generation technology, but are of the opinion that when contemporary service elements must be attached to a historic building, for whatever reason, they should be in an inconspicuous location so as not to alter the building's essential heritage character."

Planning Inspector Brian Field said: "There is undoubtedly an extremely strong case for the use of such technology and I am entirely sympathetic to the appellant's general argument. However, all sites and buildings do not lend themselves to the kind of turbine proposed, and there is little doubt that such an installation would have a detrimental impact on the appearance and character of this prominently located listed building. It would be very conspicuous and to many, would appear incongruous.

"He added "the issue in this locality is not about efficiency but about aesthetics."However, Mr. Field called on policymakers to embrace renewable energy, particularly in the upcoming Development Plan.

He said: "Micro-generation technology is likely to become an extremely important feature of our everyday lives as we pursue more sustainable development solutions, and will inevitably have a significant impact on the built environment.

"It is important however that the forthcoming review of the Development Plan addresses this issue and develops policies which facilitate and encourage implementation of the technology in an appropriate fashion.

"Secondly, it is worth noting that the design of turbines is improving constantly, and less obtrusive yet equally efficient models are being developed all the time. A design more appropriate to the local vernacular is in all probability just around the corner.

"Earlier this year Planning officers approved the first domestic wind turbine on the Island. In February, they gave Simon Hodgson permission to install a horizontal 6.5ft wind turbine on the chimney of his father Michael's home in Somerset, for a trial period of a year. Last month Belco applied for Planning permission for a 'micro windmill' and solar panels at a company-owned house in Middle Road, Warwick. In a pilot project, the company aims to explore the possibilities of renewable energy in a domestic setting.