November 2011

Letter from Knoll Conservatives

Suspect that most local residents will have received a letter from Knoll Conservatives on behalf of our District Councillors - Bob Filmer and Andrew Gilling. Opening with "We're looking to get as many views as possible on a range of local and national issues" - unfortunately not a mention of the biggest issue to hit the district for 6t0 years. We refer of course to the proposed wind farm at Rooksbridge by Broadview Energy. Residents could take advantage by including a separate note to state their total opposition to this wind farm. The more the better. So please let us show them that we are more concerned about this than the state of the streets and similar however important those items may be. The letter can of course be returned Freepost.

Somerset wind farm developers challenge survey result

The company behind plans to develop wind power at Rooksbridge have hit back at a poll of residents conducted by the anti-wind farm campaigners. Read more.

The following are extracts from the article (in italics) with our response in red text.

Tom Cosgrove, project manager at Broadview said: “Before we draw conclusions from a questionnaire of any kind, it’s important to review the questions asked and the nature of the study group. The questions asked where simple. The first question to the residents was... 'Are you in favour of windfarms as a source of renewable energy'? - simple straightforward question. The study group were local residents which was undertaken by other local residents door to door.

“For the results to be meaningful, the questions should be objective and the respondents need to be a representative cross section of the community. The questions were phrased with no twists nor other hidden matters. By calling door to door - is that not a cross section of the community - if not what is.

“However, it’s not unusual for there to be some localised opposition to developments such as this, as they inevitably change the local environment. We do understand the community’s concerns and we want to keep an open dialogue with residents. Eureka !! at last an admission that a wind farrm will have an impact on the local environment - so refreshing !!! Dialogue witrh residents - so how long has it been now since Broadview have made contact with residents ? - even the event that Broadview held for supporters at the Webbington Hotel 13th October, was by invite only and many residents did not know about it.

“We would also encourage people to consider the broader picture. The UK is currently facing a significant challenge in keeping the lights on and, with the imminent closure of both nuclear and coal power stations across the country, onshore wind has the potential to contribute towards filling that gap at a relatively low cost. Yes future energy requirements are a challenge. Yes some power stations are closing (as they nearing their end of life), but what about the other power stations that are being built i.e. Gas and proposed nuclear ones. Onshore wind contributing towards filling the gap - this is so miniscule, it may as well not feature. Relatively low cost - so why is wind still by far the most expensive way to generate electricity.

“We hope the community will balance the national need for renewable energy alongside the localised visual impacts, and consider supporting the project.” We are not against Renewable energy, but the uneconomical way that wind farms produce energy and the man in the street having to pay more for an inefficient way of producing it. In addition, we would like to keep the Somerset levels as they are please. 

Survey finds overwhelming opposition against Rooksbridge wind farm

A survey of residents living near the site of a proposed wind farm development on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea has found overwhelming opposition to the scheme.. Click here for details. Another similar article can be found here (please note that the picture is one from the Brent Knoll campaign and not NOpilrow)