'Shameful decision on wind turbine' - Longton
November 27, 2007 1:41 PM
Last week's decision to reject a planning application for wind turbine near the M4 service station at Membury has been branded as "shameful" by Dr Royce Longton, Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Environment at West Berkshire Council and Chairman of Thames Valley Energy. The decision, by the Council's Western Area Planning Committee, has been referenced up to full Council where it will be debated on 11th December.
"We must recognise that climate change is for real and that failure to address it urgently at all levels in society, from individuals through local communities to national governments, will spell disaster for the planet," said Dr Longton. "This turbine would make a significant contribution towards reducing West Berkshire's carbon footprint. The proposal is for it to be community-owned so that it would bring significant benefits to local people. I would not want to see wind farms in our finest landscapes. But that does not apply to this particular location by the motorway. The visual impact argument against the turbine was dismissed in a Planning Inspector's appeal decision relating to an earlier application, as were those relating to race horses and the airfield. No wonder West Berkshire Council was nominated to as "Britain's most ecologically dismal local authority" in The Guardian last week, although that is perhaps a bit harsh given our stringent requirements for energy efficiency in all new developments."
"I am pleased with the positive interest and support for this application so far", added Dr Longton, "and I do hope that many of the Conservatives will also support it at full Council so that West Berkshire's first major renewable energy initiative can go ahead."
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