July 13, 2011
Editorials, England

An ill wind is now blowing

News & Star, www.newsandstar.co.uk 13 July 2011

The scenario is familiar, if unpleasant, expensive and disrupting.

An energy company rolls out plans for a windfarm, uncomfortably close to houses and residents feel cornered into marshalling themselves into a fighting force to oppose the might of a big, rich, resourceful business, backed by government approved financial rewards.

There have been notable successes among residents’ groups. But it’s always a David and Goliath conflict.

Early proposals for a windfarm close to Bolton Low Houses, near Wigton, is shaping up as another unequal fight.

Residents, already suffering the noise and inconvenience of turbines, are fiercely opposed to the planned installation of another eight, standing twice the height of Carlisle Civic Centre, at Little Waver Farm.

Since Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has just outlined a new regime to encourage more companies to build thousands more windfarms, Goliath is growing in might, fed by his important friends and rich funding.

The easy option would be for David to accept the seemingly inevitable and put down his sling. But underdogs aren’t known for backing off. Why should they?

Some sensitivity in Goliath’s approach would go a long way to winning public sympathy for accepting compromise.

Avoidance of sites close to homes and in areas of outstanding natural beauty would look a lot less like bullying.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/07/13/an-ill-wind-is-now-blowing/