Wind farm inquiry

The appeal against the decision by North Shropshire District Council to reject the application by Nuon UK Limited to build a wind farm with seven turbines is to be heard in Woore starting on Wednesday 6th May. It will be held at the Victory Hall, London Road, Woore and is expected to last eleven days.

Audlem Online is, of course, entirely neutral on this important issue following the Government's published view that opposition to wind farms should become as socially unacceptable as failing to wear a seatbelt, according to Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Climate Change. We will therefore report on the appeal accordingly in a fair and totally unbiassed way, putting both sides of the argument.

Opponents of wind turbines believe that these 110m high, subsidised, inefficient, country-side polluting monsters of dubious worth are a waste of taxpayers money, particularly as they failed to produce any electricity during the cold spell this winter when the wind did not blow, as usual, during an extended anti-cyclone. Supporters think otherwise and agree with wind farms being built.

Approximately 600 local people turned up for the planning meeting last September at the Grange School, Market Drayton. 597 appeared to be against the proposed wind farm, three seemed to be in favour – the local planning officer, the chairwoman of the planning committee and the representative of Nuon. The local council, sensing the strength of opinion and hearing the facts, threw out the proposal after hearing that 2,333 local people or organisations had submitted statements opposing the scheme, including Audlem and Buerton Parish Councils. Nuon, as expected, have appealed against the decision, hence the Inquiry in Woore.

Anyone may attend the Inquiry at Woore. If you wish to speak, you must be present when the Inquiry opens to inform the Inspector of your attendance. The initial meeting starts at 10.00am on Wednesday 6th May. We urge you to remember to use your seatbelt if driving to Woore – not to would be as irresponsible as objecting to the proposed wind farm, according to the Government.

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