tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-996643537014295591.post6515609311524054942..comments2023-10-28T02:50:34.758-07:00Comments on Wind of Change: WINDFARMS AND HOUSE PRICESAEOLUShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03438451808039683261noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-996643537014295591.post-9275926898584956002012-03-26T06:11:40.674-07:002012-03-26T06:11:40.674-07:00Thank you very much for your comment, Adam. You m...Thank you very much for your comment, Adam. You make some very valid points: wind energy developers have a huge number of hoops to jump through in the pre-planning stages, and often neglect to engage with the community to the extent that might be desirable. On the other side of the coin, once a group like SDLT has started doing its thing, public meetings and/or exhibitions organised by the developers tend to become occasions where the anti's gather to cause trouble. Certainly, it would be better all round if developers were to spend more time working with the community - preferably, before elements within the community start creating their own, wildly misleading and inaccurate claims about the windfarm.<br /><br />Having been reporting on wind energy matters and, in particular, the tactics used by nimby groups to oppose any development for several years, we frequently get to hear from individuals who have been bullied for expressing an opinion which doesn't square with the "party line" imposed by the nimby group - which is indeed the case with Dorcas Lane. Often, local people feel intimidated by their own neighbours in cases like this, where a group has established an extremist position and expects everyone else to sign up to their "NO" stance. People get in touch because they want to know what the real facts are - they're being blitzed with dodgy facts and false claims from their local protest group - and, increasingly, bear witness to the fact that one is not allowed a voice unless one agrees with the anti's.<br /><br />As we frequently point out, the position of the anti's is based on false information, much of it very outdated and completely discredited, which they have simply taken from other anti-windfarm protests around the country. Because their arguments are so threadbare, they seem to feel the need to enforce consensus. Which is wrong.<br /><br />As you suggest, greater engagement with the community by the developers would be part of the answer - although this often becomes counterproductive when the nimby group has imposed a blanket ban on any information which they haven't sourced themselves. Equally, the community needs to stand up to the more aggressive and devious elements locally in order to prevent the issue becoming a divisive and embittered "us" and "them" situation. Sadly, we've found on many occasions, once a group like SDLT gets started, promoting false information and campaigning on the grounds of intolerance and prejudice, any hope of a reasonable debate is lost.AEOLUShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03438451808039683261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-996643537014295591.post-86882181228151533832012-03-26T04:49:46.725-07:002012-03-26T04:49:46.725-07:00Hi
I live in the area and am still making my mind...Hi<br /><br />I live in the area and am still making my mind up about this. <br /><br />I don't know enough about shadow flicker or noise, so am prepared to trust the developer on this - they say they are able to mitigate the effects. Cool. <br /><br />It's a pretty subjective point but I don't personally like the look of wind turbines, especially 125m ones being so close to my home, but I also accept that I don't own the view, so as much as I would be disappointed by it I'll take that one on the chin. <br /><br />I won't directly benefit from the electricity generated, but I understand it's part of a much bigger picture. Fair enough.<br /><br />What does worry me is the fact that the developer haven't really bothered to engage the community at all and have, on numerous occasions, seemingly cut corners or made errors on their submissions. I need to trust the company making such a substantial development and I'm finding that difficult at the moment. <br /><br />Beyond one poorly organised meeting last summer and an appearance at one of the Parish Councils, they have apparently made no effort to engage the community whatsoever. They have refused invitations to address gatherings of local residents. They have supplied erroneous information - I have received three separate DVDs from them (they had to revise the models following complaints, as the others were misleading, showing the height of the turbines to be smaller than would be the case) and they copied and pasted large parts of their original planning application from a wind farm in Scotland - not bothering to change the nearby roads and towns. Surely you have to understand that it's difficult to feel confident about an organisation that behaves in that manner? <br /><br />The derisory offer of financial compensation to the community is pretty pathetic in comparison to the enormous lifetime value of the turbines. I would like to see a serious commitment to the area in which they will have such an impact. <br /><br />Also of concern is their apparent habit of cutting corners, as highlighted by the council's own Green Spaces team regarding the wildlife survey of bats in the area, which they regarded as deficient. The attempt to submit the application prior to Christmas appeared to be aimed at reducing the time for local residents to respond, particularly given that it was far too early to assess any meteorlogical data gleaned from the Met Mast. There seems to be indecent haste to get this project moving when a more considered view incorporating forthcoming legislation and giving the council opportunity to form a policy on wind farms would be far more constructive. <br /><br />Also, I think you're wrong about the SDLT group. I can't argue with you on the scientific facts as I don't know enough about it, but the anti group haven't engaged in 'disgusting bullying' at all. Do you have any evidence for that? I'd be surprised if that was the case. It's surely down to the developer to make the 'pro' case, but they just haven't been visible. If they'd put as much effort into talking to the community as the SDLT group then I might have a different opinion, they just don't seem to give a shit about the area or the people in it. It's down to them to correct that view. <br /><br />Not all of us have 'black black hearts' or are 'psychos', it's just that currently the energy company aren't looking like a particularly safe bet and I don't trust them with the area that I love. They simply haven't made a persuasive argument. <br /><br />It's not as cut and dry as you make out - not necessarily a question of evil nimbies vs saintly developers. The argument is becoming shrill on both sides, but reasoned dialogue is what's needed not inflammatory rhetoric.Adam Foleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15715556023026987969noreply@blogger.com