Friday 3 January 2014

Wind Farm

Action Group

You may be interested to know that an action group has been formed to oppose the building of a wind farm on Nocton Fen. A spokesperson for the group has provided the following for publication:

" An organisation has been formed initially of local people opposed to the development of the industrial scale wind farm being proposed by the Swedish company Vattenfall Ltd on Nocton Fen. The name of the action group is PNF with the message " Protect Nocton Fen......No Wind Turbines" 

PNF have begun a programme of detailed work on each of the key criteria likely to be under examination as part of the planning process to demonstrate that the wind farm proposal at the location of Nocton Fen is inappropriate and planning consent should not be given. PNF would urge anyone, particularly residents of the surrounding villages (Nocton, Dunston, Potterhanworth, Bardney, Southrey etc), who feel they are able to support the campaign opposing the wind farm to become members of PNF.

A PNF website is currently under construction and should be live in the next few weeks through which people will be able to register support. We are also holding a PNF Group meeting to which people opposed to the wind farm are most welcome to attend:

Sunday 12th January 2014 at 1.30pm
White Horse Pub
Function Room
Dunston Fen
Metheringham LN4 3AP"


The Campaign against Windfarms

This is a list of like-minded groups around the UK. The last update appears to have been 2 January 2012 so a number of these groups could now be obsolete.

http://www.countryguardian.net/Campaign%20Windfarm%20Action%20Groups.htm

You may also like to read a number of recent Press articles that have been published:

Europe wants to block UK wind farm subsidies

'European climate action commissioners say state aid for renewable technologies should be phased out by the end of the decade.'

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/renewableenergy/10548157/Europe-wants-to-block-UK-wind-farm-subsidies.html

£30million for wind turbines that don't work when it's windy: Cost is £25million higher than last year and paid for by household bills

'The cash, which comes from household bills, is paid when the National Grid is unable to cope with the extra power produced during high winds, or during periods of low demand.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2529297/Title-goes-here.html

Wind farms 'slash up to a THIRD off value of nearby homes ... while developers pocket millions'

'Planning Minister Nick Boles has proposed direct compensation for lost property value thanks to developments such as turbines, but also nuclear power stations, rail links and factories.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2531219/Wind-farms-slash-THIRD-value-nearby-homes--developers-pocket-millions.html

9 comments:

  1. Hello Geoff,
    I've been impressed with the balanced view you have been communicating so far on the possible
    Nocton Fen wind farm. I understand that local residents are concerned about the prospects but before you fly the flag of resistance too heartily, I would suggest that you consult with the younger generation about their views on this issue, for it seems to me it is they that will fully appreciate the deployment of such a scheme.
    To give an indication of how they might respond, in a recent survey commissioned by the Mail on Sunday, 81.5% of the 18-34year olds, stated that they would be happy to live near a wind farm. The overall result for all age groups was 70% in agreement.
    You can find a copy of this energy poll at Survation.com .
    They are many powerful arguments for why renewables are essential for the future security of UK energy and the reduction of CO2 emissions.
    Please do not lose sight of both sides of the debate and continue
    to represent everyone in your community.
    Regards
    James Pocklington
    Lincolnshire Pro wind alliance
    07939205346

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good to see the formation of PNF, an action group to protect Nocton Fen from the threat of a wind farm. I would urge as many people as possible to support this group, and attend the forthcoming meeting. There is strength in numbers and we need to present a united front against this proposed monstrosity which would destroy the unique character and beauty of the fen for ever.
    Richard from
    Metheringham

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  3. Thanks for your comments James and Richard. I will continue to post information that arises from time-to-time, whether it supports or argues against renewable energy. It is important for all parties to research the matter further to support their particular stance on the matter. Furthermore, one must adhere to the requirements stipulated in planning legislation when presenting evidence to planning committees or inspectorate, otherwise it won't be taken in to account in my experience. All the best for 2014.

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  4. Interesting comments from Geoff but I think he misses the point. Many of us who are opposed to the proposed Nocton wind farm are not necessarily opposed to ALL wind farms, but rather opposed to them being built in the wrong place for reasons such as effects on wildlife, destroying of a beautiful landscape etc. For example there are 6 wind turbines at Seaforth container port in Liverpool which blend in perfectly with the neighbouring industrial setting. By contrast just imagine 20 wind turbines on the top of Snowdon mountain. They would effectively destroy a unique environment. This of course is an extreme example. I personally along with many others, who care about the local countryside believe that Nocton fen is the WRONG PLACE for a wind farm.
    I do not myself believe that wind farms are the answer to our energy problems. Rather than a proliferation of wind farms everywhere I would prefer a few carefully sited new nuclear power stations.
    I hope this debate will continue.
    Richard
    Metheringham

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  5. I am in the so called young category mentioned by Mr James .I would be grateful if he could clarify why they are called wind farm ...
    Farms produce food not energy and why can't they have more wind energy production offshore ...

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  6. My guess is they're called wind farms because they "harvest" wind energy. In much the same way that solar farms "harvest" the sun's energy.
    I'm sure all of the supporters of wind energy will be happy to call them wind power stations if that assists their continued deployment:)
    Offshore wind is a much more challenging technology to deploy, both technically and financially, which is why the subsidy for offshore wind is currently £155 per MW/h compared to £95 for onshore wind.
    Many large offshore schemes have been abandoned or scaled back just recently due to the challenge of erecting these massive structures in tidal waters.

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  7. To me so called wind farms are INDUSTRIAL WIND POWER STATIONS. The problem is that many of them have been sited in the wrong places, particularly for example on or around the hills and mountains of Scotland. Some of us, myself included have a deep love and appreciation of beautiful landscapes. The wildness of Nocton fen has a beauty of its own, different of course to mountainous regions. Now let me say this- if someone drew graffiti on a masterpiece painting, that painting would be ruined. And that is precisely what all these wind farms are - a graffiti that ruins and destroys probably for ever our beautiful countryside landscape.
    Richard from Metheringham

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  8. Thanks again for the contributions. I seem to recall the wind farm only has a shelf life of 25 years after which it has to be dismantled. I also think onshore wind farms are going to be a political football leading up to the next election. The climate appears to be changing on their suitability for our landscape. You may like to read my blog tomorrow as this is very topical.

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  9. Hi Geoff
    Absolutely true about the 25 year life span, but they can apparently be reactivated (or whatever they call it) so they can continue producing energy.
    Look forward to your comments tomorrow.
    Richard

    ReplyDelete

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