July 26, 2007
England
England
A group of residents protesting against wind farms in North Cornwall defiantly claimed this week: “We’re nimby and proud of it.”The ‘not in my back yard’ comment came from district councillor Keith Goodenough, who heads the Group Against Windfarm Proliferation (GAWP).
He went on: “We don’t object to creating electricity by the wind, but we have got enough turbines in Cornwall.”
Mr Goodenough was speaking after plans were unveiled for a wind farm of 95-metre high turbines near Hendraburnick.
Energy firm Ecotricity wants to build four large turbines on the site, which it claims would generate power for 9,000 homes.
The plans have been on display at Camelford Library .
But Mr Goodenough said the project should be built outside North Cornwall.
He said people did not want any more turbines in their back yard – and that was nothing to be ashamed of.
“A nimby is exactly what it means – we just don’t want it on our patch,” he said.
“North Cornwall already has its share. There are at least 50 in this area and that is just enough. We will fight it all the way.”
His views were echoed by another local campaign group, Morwenstow Against Turbines.
Chairman John Moxey said: “We think North Cornwall has done its bit.
“We would like to see a few other counties doing their bit. I would like to see a few more in Devon and Somerset.”
Mr Moxey’s group is fighting an appeal by West Coast Energy to build three windmills in the parish.
Its proposal to build three, 265ft turbines was unanimously rejected in March by North Cornwall District Council, but this week it revealed it would appeal against the decision.
The matter will now be decided by an independent planning inspector, appointed by the Government.
But Mr Moxey’s group is furious that the company is to make its appeal by written representation rather than holding a public inquiry.
He insisted that the only fair and transparent way of dealing with the matter was by a public inquiry.
“These plans have been rejected 12 to 0 by the planning committee, yet they have chosen to appeal by written representation,” Mr Moxey said.
“Our concern is that you can say things in writing that cannot be challenged because you don’t know what other people are saying.
“We would like the matter to be dealt with by a public inquiry.”
The closing date for representations on the Morewenstow application is August 2.
25 July 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/07/26/wind-protest-group-proud-of-nimbyism/