It was with some surprise that I read the article in last week’s Goole Times that everyone was ‘happy’ with the plans for the turbine farm between Howden and Gilberdyke at Sixpenny Wood. I was one of those who attended the exhibition at Eastrington Village Hall and there were certainly many people who had concerns and showed little sign of being ‘happy’ with Your Energy’s plans. Interesting and convenient but perhaps of little surprise that the queue of people lined up to sign a petition against the plans was not mentioned in the article.
It is clear that Your Energy is a ‘polished outfit’ but there are many who can see beneath the surface. We all of course wish to tackle global warming and look for solutions that will make a difference, however sometimes we must balance the negative effects on a community and the landscape of such a project. It seems that to object to such schemes leaves one open to accusations of wanting to melt the planet’s glaciers overnight.
Make no mistake, these turbines are absolutely massive; at 125 metres these are more than three times the height of Howden Minster and would be Howden’s most dominant landscape feature, clearly visible for many miles. Howden is currently known for the historic Minster, market place, surrounding countryside and being The Gateway to the Yorkshire Wolds. Would we really prefer to have our town known as ‘The town off-the M62 in the shadow of those massive wind turbines?’
We all like the idea of ‘green’ energy, but at what price? These mega-structures in idyllic countryside are surely not the answer. I have no doubt the green brigade will batter me over the head with an organic, GM-free cucumber in reply to this letter. I have already met a few who wish to stifle the debate and railroad everyone else. Many are blinded by their green principles and unfortunately are unable to see past the slick presentations and understand the business plans and fat profits to be made in the guise of saving the planet.
If we were all to do our bit, reduce the energy we use, choose to recycle, then together we could make a difference. How ironic then that we should choose to destroy our beautiful countryside with these huge carbuncles in the name of saving the environment.
There is still time to object to this scheme, despite Your Energy claiming that everyone was and is happy. With the planning submission being scheduled for June/July, please consider carefully how you want your countryside to look.
If you would prefer to see trees, fields and birds, then please consider supporting those who wish to object to this scheme. Perhaps visit the website being maintained by local residents www.sixpennywood-not.co.uk and make up your own mind.
Howdenshire Resident
7 June 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/06/11/still-time-to-object-to-windfarm/