New article on Energy

Over the past two weeks, the lead feature article on Audlem Online has been by Roland Hall raising serious questions about wind farms. Ever careful to maintain balance at all times, we are publishing today a new article by local resident Martin Dominic who is concerned about Climate Change and Peak Oil.

Yesterday, we published a news story about the Wind Farm Inquiry in Woore that's coming to an end this Monday and Tuesday. Given the small army of lawyers we were reporting on, we were cautious in what we said. It appears, however, that the MP for the area where the wind farm is planned near Knighton has some pretty strong views on the subject.

Owen Patterson, the MP for North Shropshire, was reported in yesterday's Market Drayton Advertiser as saying that the seven-turbine project that will be seen from parts of Audlem and Buerton would be a "desecration" of the countryside. He said he was "vehemently" opposed to the planning application which would have a "catastrophic" effect on residents and businesses.

Wicked and evilHe said: "I regard this application as wicked and evil. I am vehemently opposed to it. It will be a desecration of the countryside and will have a negative impact on the lives of everyone living in the area.

"I asked the cowardly company behind the application to name three benefits the turbines would have for local people and they couldn't name one.

"The trees on the site are all straight because there is no wind. With wind farms it is horses for courses. I am not against renewable energy but you have to put wind farms where there is wind. Without any wind there isn't going to be any energy."

Owen Patterson went on to criticise the fact the Vortex, the group opposed to the planning application by Nuon UK Ltd, have had to raise £80,000 of their own money to fight the campaign." I have never before seen such a well-run and effective campaign," said the MP.

It does seem strange that local councils and residents are penalised financially when a company appeals against a democratic decision by the local council's planning committee to reject a planning application. Surely there's a case for the company wishing to change the status quo against the wishes of the legitimate planning authority to pay all the costs.

More on Audlem Online next week when on Tuesday the numerous barristers and solicitors involved in the Woore Inquiry will be summing up their arguments to the Government-appointed Inspector.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.