People living in rural areas had a tough time under the previous Government; Local post offices and pubs were closed on a grand scale and subsidies for farmers were badly bungled.
Labour Ministers gave the impression that they cared very little about the welfare of the countryside, and understood the rural way of life even less.
Perhaps one of the most prevalent examples of this was on the issue of wind farms. People living in rural areas are every bit as interested in the future of our planet as those living in the most metropolitan parts of London. They care deeply about renewable energy and want to do their bit to reduce greenhouse emissions and help us meet our international obligations.
However, too often under the previous Government they were treated as a dumping ground for huge, overbearing wind turbines that towered over their communities. They were given little say on individual planning decisions and when groups of residents did manage to persuade local councillors to reject a scheme, often it was bulldozed through on appeal.
Thankfully the Coalition has stated that the planning rules will soon be changed, with local communities being given a far greater say on developments that impact on their way of life. This is certainly very welcome news to residents living in the small villages of Grange Moor and Birds Edge, in my constituency. In Grange Moor, they are fighting proposals to build two 47.5 metre wind turbines which if given the go-ahead would tower over their homes and change the local landscape for ever. I have supported them in their campaign and last week responded to the public consultation being run by the local Council. In Birds Edge, residents are opposed to the erection of four wind turbines which would stand some 400 feet above the ground.
I have also been calling on Ministers to follow the example of many of our European neighbours and introduce a minimum separation distance between wind turbines and local communities. Peter Luff MP did the same thing in his Private Members Bill last year. The idea is that when turbines reach a certain height they would be required by law to be situated at a specific point away from the nearest occupied dwelling.
This would allow wind turbines to be erected in suitable locations away from people’s homes whilst maintaining public support for the principle of wind energy, something that is absolutely vital for us as a country. I will continue to press for this law to be introduced in the coming months and years and in the meantime I eagerly await the publication of the Coalition’s new Planning Framework, which I believe will make a huge difference to communities in rural areas like mine.
( 5 comments ) Tags: Countryside, farmers, Grange Moor, Planning Framework, post offices
Comment by Ed Stonestreet on July 27, 2010 at 2:22 pm
I agree with the principle behind your comments, I just fear the rise of NIMBYism, there are times when it is appropriate to push through unwelcome applications for the greater good. Finding the thin line that balances these two forces is well nigh impossible, the best result will be to upset the fewest people for the shortest time.
When is the new Planning Fframework due for publication?
Comment by RAy Turner on July 27, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Wasn’t there a news story recently, about a community that actually welcomed the development of a wind turbine in their community. They’d get the revenue (or some of it) from energy sold to the national grid.
Isn’t that the way forward really, with these wind turbines. Give some of the revenue to the community, to maintain community centres, church halls, kids playgrounds etc…
Comment by Emma on July 30, 2010 at 10:05 am
I agree that sites of wind turnbines should be looked at in the best interest for the local cummunity, however I would much prefere windturbines on a field rather that a new housing estate, appartment blocks and yet another supermarket. Surly they will increase jobs making and maintaining, Plus this is the future of energy, surly this would create apprenticships. As well as less polution, and to me I think they look nice, you can still see the fields. If they do lower local fuel bills, a major problem for low income familys and the elderly even better.
Comment by John DOLMAN on July 30, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Have more say on planning, What a farce I was given three minuets in a two hour debate at a recent planning meeting to object to 2300 houses bieng buillt partly on green belt land close to my home and the fact that this could result in the loss of some 800 jobs
Comment by John Halstead on August 1, 2010 at 8:08 pm
Windmills (incorrectly kown as wind turbines) are inefficient, they require wind strength beween two fairly narrow values; if the wind is too strong they have to be stopped, if it’s too weak they won’t generate. They are usually sited a long way from where the electricity is used, requiring miles of pylons and cables and they require lots of energy to build and maintain.
When will the politicians wake up to nuclear power, the cost per Gwh is similar, power is there when and where it”s needed and it’s just as clean.