IT appears that at long last, my letters regarding the lack of a proper planning policy to control the development of turbines in this area might just have had some effect after reading in your comment column last weeek, that Fenland District Council is
IT appears that at long last, my letters regarding the lack of a proper planning policy to control the development of turbines in this area might just have had some effect after reading in your 'comment' column last weeek, that Fenland District Council is to employ lawyers to formulate a policy for future planning applications for turbines.
What is unfortunate is that such is decision is five years too late.
To read that councillors consider gigantic developments such as wind farms should be determined by 'market forces' is amazing, if not irresponsible. No wonder most senior planning officers left the council some five years ago. Did they suspect something amiss was on the horizon?
Would it be too much to ask if the lawyers (I notice there is no reference to planners) could involve the public for their views when formulating a policy?
Having attended several public exhibitions recently put on by the various turbine developers, it would be nice to see some independent consultation where residents can actually have some input as to how they see such developments taking place, rather than just being told by a developer what is going to happen.
To be told by developers that wind farms do not have a significant visual impact on our countryside needs addressing. To have developers state that their wind farms will generate sufficient electricity to supply 7,500 homes with power may sound good but they do not tell us this is based upon continuous peak output; and, as we all know, turbines are often not running at all.
It is misleading to say turbines in this area are generating electricity for our local towns and villages when in fact it is being distributed to the whole of eastern England.
We have all been well informed by the developer's case for wind turbines. Let's hear a more balanced view from our district council. But based on recent past performance on its decisions to approve so many turbine applications, I do not have much faith that we will.
TREVOR WATSON
The Laurels
March
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here