Last Updated: 07 January 2009
The Democratic Deficit
Click the image above to advance the slide
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I
challenge the overall methodology that has been used to promote wind
energy and in the interest of democracy I have documented detailed events in Force10
and its sequel Force10 Companion Guide. These books may be
downloaded below. They are to all intents and purposes a piece of Social
History. In particular I take issue on how PPS22 has evolved
and challenge PPS22 Companion Guide, that scarlet pimpernel
of all planning documents; its 185 pages surfacing 6 months after the 11 page
document it was to support. Reduction of CO2 emissions
seem lost in the race for regional targets, mainly onshore wind.
A real catch 22 as until wind turbines are built, we cannot prove whether wind turbines are reducing CO2 emissions
as expected. They are certainly not in the North East! Elizabeth
Mann BSc |
Barningham High Moor
Photo by Andrew Douglas, 1998
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My recently published books, Force 10 and Force 10 Companion Guide (The New Lambton
Wyrm) plus other relevant information may be
downloaded below.
>Force
10 (Political Will v Landscape Protection) - Size: 4.21Mb
>Force
10 Companion Guide (The New Lambton Wyrm) - Size: 5.41Mb
>Force
10 Saddleworth Presentation - Size: 0.86Mb
>Summary
of the Long Fight to Save Barningham High Moor - Size: 229kb
>Whinash Windfarm Decision Letter - Size: 0.57Mb
>Whinash Windfarm Inspector's Report - Size: 0.92Mb
>Whinash Windfarm Refusal DTI Press Release - Size: 0.27Mb
>Climate Change Wind Energy & Planning -Size: 1.26Mb
Under provisions of the Legal Deposit Libraries Act
2003, Force10, Force10 Companion Guide and Summary of the long fight to save
Barningham High Moor, have been deposited with:
The British Library
Bodleian Library, University of Oxford
Cambridge University
National Library of Scotland
National Library of Wales
Trinity College Dublin
As a matter of courtesy to Tony Blair, and at my request, Alan Milburn MP has forwarded a copy of Force10 Companion Guide to the Prime Minister
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A
Decade of Deception and Delusion -
I have struggled in my attempt to find a way to
convey this information clearly and concisely. Even now I am uncertain I have
succeeded as the more convoluted the story becomes, the more difficult it is to
relate. It covers the methodology that has been used to promote wind power
development. The technology I leave to the scientists, engineers, ecologists
and others. However the complete truth regarding the methods used must be
recorded as, in the words of Michael Caine:
"Not many people know this"
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The Fall and Rise of Wind Power in the UK: From 1998 The recent exponential rise of planning applications for wind farms is an incredible story. Partial truths and selected statistics add to the deception as it appears that Planners and Councillors throughout the whole country are being deluded into accepting wind turbines to combat climate change. 1998: UK planning system was blamed for the worst year the Industry had known 1998 Sustainability North East (Sustaine) was established. The Sustaine Board is supported by an Officers Group made up from representatives from GO-NE, ONE, NEA, Environment Agency, Derwentside District Council, Gateshead Council, English Nature and Northumbria University 1999 Feb : Dismal year in the UK as the planning infrastruction fails, 1999 Dec: Legal planning defeat for wind in NE England 2000 Mar: Planning hurdles defeat the Wind Industry. 2001 Mar : Dti Press Release(P/2001/176 ) Hain grants Freedom for Green Energy.22/03/2001 Peter Hain, Energy Minister, today unlocked green energy projects blocked by planning constraints, to drive forward a significant expansion in the production of green energy 2001 Letter from Nick Raynsford, Minister for Housing and Planning, to the (Association of North East Councils) ANEC, then Regional Planning body and author of the draft Regional Planning Guidance (RPG )strategy. Extract :"Further work needs to be undertaken by ANEC to set a more specific regional target and identifying sub-regional targets by the early review of RPG. This will ensure the government's target of 10% of electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2010. 2002 'The energy market, particularly for renewable energy , is a political beast under political control. To secure its future the Wind Industry must play politics.' (Sourced from: Wind Power Monthly www.wpm.co.nz) 2002 Nov Energy Minister, Brian Wilson announced the members of the new Renewables Advisory Board 2002 The Renewables Obligation was introduced to replace NFFO (Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation) 2002 Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) provides a strategic planning policy framework for the preparation of local plans. The Deputy Prime Minister issued RPG1, which provides guidance for the North East of England 2005 Yvette Cooper, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the ODPM launches parliamentary guide to wind farm development (Produced in association with npower renewables and the BWEA). |
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"Whilst
Tony Blair promotes global action on Climate Change, the Environment Council
has been helping address key issues at local level." Extract from the Environment Council (EC)
report on their Regional Workshops- EC & Community Involvement!
Who has been responsible for the injustices at Walkway, Satley, Trimdon, Royal Oak and GlaxoSmithKline and others? Misleading comments in support of wind farms are partly responsible. Some detailed accounts are below, included to alert people to the travesty of justice.
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Walkway Wind farm Sedgefield from BWEA Magazine Real Power Issue1 Wind Prospect Seven turbines were given planning permission at High Swainston Farm, near Sedgefield in early March 2005. The 21MW project has 3 claims to fame: this is the first consent for a windfarm in the Prime Minister's constituency, the turbines are the most powerful to be approved onshore in England to date at 3MW per unit, and all this was achieved well within the statutory time period, with consent awarded in an outstanding time period of 12 weeks following submission. |
Reality: Walkway Wind Farm Sedgefield, not famous but infamous
The local group did not appear to have a fair hearing. Valid objections were not addressed. The Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) was willing to pursue the case but the necessary funds could not be sourced at such short notice. The Council refused to wait for the results of the ongoing Noise Study by Dti, initially due Spring 2005. Later the developers sought to alter condition 20, relating to policy D10 of the local plan, in order to accommodate a 'de minimus' increase in the noise level. Again the Council refused to wait for the Dti study results which unfortunately are still not available though promised for mid April 2006!
Case Study 3E in PPS22 CG is "Member Training in the North East" and was to be piloted with Wear Valley District and Sedgefield Borough Councils. This gave guidance for Local Planning Authorities in taking forward Renewable Energy Developments. Produced on behalf of North East Renewable Energy Group (NEREG) June 2004 and commissioned by Government Office for the North East & Yorkshire and The Humber.
Was there a snowball's chance in Hell of a refusal for Walkway?
· No wind data was submitted in the application.
Did they have a fair hearing? They cannot complain
to their MP as Sedgefield is the PM's constituency. John Burton is the PM's
agent and a councillor but I did not see him at the decision meeting.
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WEST DURHAM SATLEY Conflicting 'views' but Satley residents live with the reality of wind farms
Approval of The Application
Sunday Telegraph. Christopher Booker's Notebook 26/03/06 Extract From one end of the land to the other, Prescott's Code is a blight on
democracy. A recurrent theme of the many letters I have had on the havoc
being inflicted on local councils by John Prescott's Code of Conduct is how
this appears to encourage a system of double standards. When the North-East Regional Assembly earmarked the ward
represented on Derwentside council by John Pickersgill as
suitable for more wind turbines, he organised a local referendum. The area
already has six turbines. Faced with the prospect of 17 more, more than 80
per cent of the residents voted - and more than 80 per cent were opposed. When Councillor Pickersgill tried to raise this in a debate on
the assembly's regional planning strategy, he was excluded from the room as
having a "prejudicial interest". However, it was deemed quite
acceptable for the council's leader, Alex
Watson, to speak in favour of the
assembly's policy, even though he did not think it necessary to declare that
he was himself also the assembly's
chairman.
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GLAXOSMITHKLINE
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ROYAL OAK: PERMISSION OR NOT PERMISSION?
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TRIMDON
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I question too the wealth of 'postive literature' produced which surely give a false impression of the state of play. At the time of writing they would be an accurate assessment but to not 'update' those applications which do not progress as hoped seems to serve to delude and further deceive the public as to the reality of the situation. Some prime examples are below namely, Teeswind North(TNEI) Teeswind South ( TNEI) and Redcar offshore( EDF) |
TEESWIND World's Largest Urban Windfarm Under Study from Dti website August 2001
30 turbines each 450ft high were proposed and work was
expected to start in 2003. An EU Altener programme managed by Renew North
(email adrian.smith @tnei.org.uk). Eventually 18x 2.5MW, height 458ft to tip,
were given planning approval (subject to a section 106 agreement) as Teeswind North.
Reality: No decision letter has yet been granted (May 2006) as the section 106 agreement, attached to the planning approval of July 2002 for Teeswind North has not yet been agreed.
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Teeswind South was expected to follow early 2003, with 10 x 2.5 MW turbines also 458ft to tip I understand there was a public exhibition but no planning application has come forward (May 06)
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REDCAR OFFSHORE
EDF website Northern Offshore Wind "It will help to
support the UK's target of 10% by 2010"
Reality: Decision awaited, still with Dti, May 2006. Tremendous local opposition from all quarters, including the Northern Trade Union Council
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The Northern TUC therefore calls upon the DTI to reject the application by EDF Energy to build the proposed Northern Offshore Wind Farm Contact. Peter O'Brien Regional Policy Officer, Northern TUC, Transport House, John Dobson Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8TW. |
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HOW WAS THE DECEPTION AND DELUSION
TO BE SUSTAINED?
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It appeared a desperate situation was developing, calling for desperate measures. Methods needed to be devised to 'inform' decision makers and assessors in order to revive the Industry. Below are some of the measures taken in an attempt to 'inform' Councillors and Planners, the decision makers. |
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It seems
that the next stage was an attempt to 'involve communities' Stemming
from the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (P&CPA 2004) are the
Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) Within these is a strategy for public
consultation-The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) |
Regional Workshops run by The Environment Council
Renewable Energy and Community Involvement. Developed around PPS22, they were said to be aimed at helping those at regional and local levels build their capacity for effective community involvement. The workshops were jointly funded by Dti and Renewable Energy Systems Group.(RES)
"Whilst Tony Blair promotes global action on Climate Change, The Environment Council has been helping address key issues at local level. From The Environmental Council Project Report. I make no apology for re-iterating this statement as it is typical of the way references to the Prime Minister could suggest he is closely involved. The Environment Council introduced the South West Protocol, which outlined the principles for Effective Public Engagement more below*
The workshops were said to be a great success and an invaluable introduction to community engagement and its applications. I comment on the only one I attended, the Newcastle workshop. However it presupposed there were no disbenefits from wind. Issues arose there which have not been documented are below.
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Westminster Briefing 20/10/05 London. "The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act: Is
it working in your area?'"
A demonstration had taken place in Darlington on
20/10/05 expressing discontent on a variety of issues causing concern to the
local community: Airport development, Transport, Housing, Wind farms and
Education. No one seemed aware of the recent Planning and Compulsory Purchase
Act (P& CPA) nor the implications of the RSS it brought with it so I
decided to attend the London briefing. I drew attention to CPRE's concerns
regarding The New Planning System:
I was particularly anxious to find out if
Compulsory Purchase might be used to enable a particular development to
proceed. There seemed to be a reluctance to answer. The Senior Planning Officer
for the ODPM, responsible for co-ordinating the Local Development Frameworks
(LDFs) pointed out he had only just heard of the briefing and requested they be
informed of future events. He offered to visit areas and explain the jargon
associated with the Act as it was said to be causing problems for the Planners.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Chairman of The
Environment Council, the Body who held Regional Workshops on Renewable
Energy and Community Involvement, throughout the UK. A representative from the
Environment Council was to speak at the BWEA 27 Annual Conference in Cardiff.
His message was to be "Involving communities in renewable energy Planning,
jumping the hurdles from Policy into Practice".
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INVOLVING COMMUNITIES WHILST NOT ADDRESSING POTENTIAL
DISBENEFITS -WILL DESTROY THE 'BALANCING ACT, essential to informed decision making and paramount to good
and democratic planning
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*Protocol for public engagement with proposed wind power developments in England. Meetings: Feb3rd 2006 and Peer Review, Feb 27th 2006 Dti London |
The protocol as discussed on Feb3rd seemed to give the impression that windpower developments will always be permitted and that only benefits will occur rather than a balance .Invited to e mail comments to Simon Roberts before the second meeting I consulted with colleagues both in the North East and other areas including the South West, on the proposed protocol .A consensus of opinion follows which I then e mailed to Simon Roberts.
Surely the protocol should imply that in cases where a full economic and environmental assessment demonstrates that the range of impacts and disbenefits are so great, the development should be rejected. The following amendment was suggested:
The process may involve discussion of the site, the wind development itself, its impacts and their possible mitigation and the potential benefits and disbenefits to the local area and more widely.
Insertion of " its impacts and their possible mitigation, replacing "low local impacts may be mitigated" and addition of "and disbenefits" after "potential benefits, seems to restore some balance.
A telephone call from Simon Roberts (Centre for Sustainable Energy) and a member of the Renewables Advisory Board (RAB). confirmed that the peer review meeting scheduled for the 27th had been cancelled. He said it was felt there was not the correct mix around the table and more Councillors and Planners were needed. (Simon was previously Senior Energy Campaigner at Friends of The Earth 1989- 1994 and Commercial Manager at Tridios Bank from 1998 to 2002)
The Protocol for public engagement with proposed wind power developments in England seemed to be directly connected with the Regional Conferences. The Renewable Energy & Community Involvement conference for the North East region (18/03/06 in Newcastle) hosted by the Environment Council and funded by Dti was one of eight held in the English Regions. The main thrust was that there are no disbenefits from wind energy and we must move forward together. The Environment Council, a semi private organisation I understand, gave their presentation which centred on the South West Protocol. It was basically training for Councillors on how to consult with communities under the terms of PPS22.It appeared to, as any 'protocol' does, to lay down a set of rules pre-defining what should happen.
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CRE Energy, a subsidiary of Scottish Power and the Compulsory Purchase Act
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CRE Energy, a subsidiary of Scottish Power have made requests to Ofgem to be able to use the Compulsory Purchase Act to acquire land. CRE aim to extend their network of windfarms across the UK and state this would be helpful to prepare for the possibility of having to acquire land and/or wayleaves compulsorily. |
Comments sent to Ofgem's Consultation. I offer comments on the Authority's preliminary
view that paragraphs 5 to7 of SLC 14 and paragraphs 5 to 8 of SLC 15
should be given effect in the electricity generation licence of CRE, for five
years in each case. Surely the essential issue for us all is
to ensure the UK's long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions is
met. There are fundamental issues which need to be sorted before such a request
as that from CRE is decided. As I see it these are health, safety and
whether wind turbines are in fact reducing carbon emissions as they state in
planning applications for wind farms .Elizabeth Mann
Ofgem's Reply: Thanks for you recent response to Ofgem's consultation on
the Request from CRE Energy Limited for a Direction under Standard Condition 14
(“Compulsory Acquisition of Land etc”) and a Direction under Standard Condition
15 (“Other Powers etc”) of the Electricity Generation Licence. Ofgem is
currently in the process of reviewing these two conditions in all generation
licences. The decision related to CRE Energy Limited will be
made at the same time as the outcome of this review. Ofgem will endeavour to
publish a consultation document on this review on our website (www.ofgem.gov.uk)
in the coming months.
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THE REASONS I CHALLENGE CASE STUDIES: 2D, 6E, 3B, 3E IN PPS22 COMPANION GUIDE
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PPS22 Companion Guide Considering the original implication and current reality of both case study 2D(AAT) and 6E (GSK), these were premature and the document is flawed. Case Studies 3B and 3E are surely flawed as they appear to be indoctrination of Councillors and Planners, destroying the necessary balance of potential benefits and potential disbenefits, that democratic element of planning. Further details are in Force10 CG. |
Case Study 2D Community Benefits - Awel Aman Tawe (AAT)
Extract
from comments to the Planning Inspectorate. Reference : APP/Y6390/A/05/1189610
Awel Aman Tawe (AAT)
County Durham
Branch and Teesdale District group of the Campaign to Protect Rural England
(CPRE) wish to offer their objections to the proposed AAT Community wind farm
for the reasons below.
·
PPS22 (the English equivalent of
Tan 8) has no legitimacy in Planning
Guidance in Wales yet AAT is used as a case study in PPS22 Companion
Guide. This is incomprehensible.
·
This Public Inquiry is the first
outside search areas in Wales since Tan 8 came into force and as such will be a
landmark case, testing whether or not there is a presumption against
applications outside Tan 8. Why then
is it even connected with PPS22?
·
An extract from RENEW 159.
Network for Alternative Technology and Technological Assessment (Natta)
Newsletter follows. AAT is said to be a turning point in the history of
community energy in the UK. Used as a case study at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development and as a case study in PPS22 it is important
AAT goes ahead, as it will send a positive message to other projects in Wales
and the UK."
·
The high profile given to AAT
by NATTA seems out of order and undemocratic. We are concerned that AAT could therefore
become a fait accompli. Consequently we were pleased to find the originally
requested written representations were changed to an informal hearing and
finally to a Public Inquiry.
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UNRESOLVED ISSUES: The following situations have
not been satisfactorily resolved in spite of several communications with the
relevant departments.
There are burning issues which still need to be addressed,
not least the safety factor if turbines catch fire. CEWT. Noise, clarification
of Wind Speeds, the real situation regarding MOD, NATS ,CAA, RO & ROCs and
'discrepancies' in the ROC register (Ofgem) which remain unresolved.
I fail to see how decisions can be made without this information, a crucial part of the balancing act, potential benefits and potential disbenefits. Could that be the reason for the draconian measures of ignoring potential disbenefits and and the attempt to use the Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to acquire land?
Safety: According to
press articles It appears that due to the height, there is no equipment
available to deal with turbine fires. Surely this should be the Developer's responsibility.
To have to allow a fire to burn itself out could be dangerous. Anyone servicing
the turbine deserves to know there are safety procedures that could be put into
practice should he be unable to descend unaided.
MOD
NATS CAA :Conflicting reports from MOD, CAA, NATS and Developers
are giving cause for Concern
Wind Speeds: Difficult to access meaningful data.
CEWT: Conveniently
and cunningly ignored.
Health: Noise
25 Feb 2005 : Column 892W Hansard
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when
the ETSU W/13/00921 REP report on low frequency noise and vibrations was
compiled; what size turbines were studied; and if (she )will make a statement.
[217508]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: Assuming the reference to ESTU W/13/00921
means the ETSU 97 "The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind
Farms" which was published in September 1996. The turbines studied
for the report were 450 kW machines at St. Breock in Cornwall.
Where is the Dti report to update ETSU? It has
been promised at regular intervals since Spring 2005 and in June 2006 it is
still not available
Email from Alan Smith Dti is below.
>----Original Message----
> From: Alan.Smith@dti.gsi.gov.uk
> Date: 17/03/2006 10:00
> To: me.mann@virgin.net
> Subj: LFN Study and ETSU
>
>
>Dear Mrs Mann,
>It was good to talk to you and I'm sorry that your batteries ran out!
>Please feel free to let me know your concerns regarding ETSU, and can then
investigate whether a revision is in order - perhaps we can talk again once the
LFN study is available.
>Kind regards,
>Alan Smith
>07979 406771
My reply is copied below.
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Attaching Hansard reference ( 25 Feb 2005 : Column
892W )to support my statement that in my opinion ETSU 97 is
outdated. Turbines were were of capacity 450kw and are now up to 3000 kw |
Although promised by mid April by both Dti and
Future Energy Solutions (FES)it still has not surfaced. (18 June 2006) Note:
ETSU is now part of FES !
Ofgem Discrepancies not resolved even through FOI
Renewable
Obligation (RO) The obligation placed on licensed electricity suppliers
to deliver a specified amount of their electricity from and eligible renewable
source. Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) Eligible renewable generators receive
Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) for each MWh of Electricity generated.
These certificates can then be sold to suppliers. In order to fulfil their
obligation suppliers can either present enough certificates to cover the
required percentage of their output, or they can pay a buyout price of £30 per
MWh for any shortfall. All proceeds from buyout payments are recycled to
suppliers in proportion to the number of ROCs they present.
The above definitions are from the North East of
England Regional Renewable Energy Strategy (NERRES) document (p77) prepared by
TNEI for GO-NE They are typical of the definitions used and do not appear to
explain clearly to the consumers, who pay for it, that this is a covert
subsidy, not a levy, appearing to favour wind energy above other technologies
Now it seems the Energy Minister agrees.....
House of Commons -Oral Answers published May 2006 Full text can be read on line
Q. Mr Lancaster......... but does the Minister agree that we need to reconsider the Renewables Obligation which focuses on wind power to the detriment of other emerging technologies
A. Malcolm Wicks Yes I agree that the renewables obligation despite its strengths..................................could appear to be a blunt instrument and certainly seems to be favouring wind energy.
Note The above answer from Malcolm Wicks was most interesting considering the parliamentary Guide to Windfarms launched on 12/01/2005
Reduction in Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Are wind turbines reducing emissions as promised?
25 Feb 2005 : Column 892W
Hansard
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry what reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is expected from the
proposed wind turbine programme. [217510]
Mr. Mike O'Brien: As stated in my answer to question 217505 Government's
renewable target of 10 per cent. of energy from renewable sources by 2010 would
mean a reduction, per year, of 2.3 million tons of carbon dioxide over that
same energy being produced by gas. The 10 per cent. target relates to all
renewable technologies. The Government do not have a wind turbine
programme. The support being provided by Government for renewables
under the RO is technology neutral .
The follow reports are very critical of the Renewables Obligation (RO):
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Overall, my main concerns remain:
Does
not "Forget Old Battles, we now have the law"- show serious errors of
Governance? (ODPM)
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Durham 1st County to Meet Renewables Target
The approval of a 12-turbine wind farm has made County Durham the first county in England to hit its renewable energy targets. The Banks Development project, located between Tow Law and Lanchester, was passed by Derwentside councillors in December 2005 meaning County Durham will hit its target of 82 MW of renewable energy generation by 2010 Real power Issue 5 BWEA
In planning ;. I question why applications that do not progress as
hoped are not updated .eg Teeswind North (TNEI) Teeswind South ( TNEI) and
Redcar offshore( EDF) See DELUSION
v Blyth Offshore,
Blyth harbour, must be mentioned particularly as they have
been given a high profile. When the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) document
was launched for consultation, Bob Gibson, Chair of the North East Assembly
named Blyth Harbour and Blyth Offshore Wind farms as Flagship projects (Source
NEREG).Neither Blyth onshore
or offshore wind turbines are working as expected I have read Blyth onshore
turbines are to be increased in capacity
v Great Eppleton Note: Variation of condition 13 planning permission 96/O597 to enable retention of non operating turbines for an additional 12 months
v High Volts, West of Hartlepool. I have
included as it is one of the wind farms collectively named the '3H's 'and used
as a Dti Case Study. Described as one of the most modern windfarms in the UK and said to be typical
of many proposals for the North. The 3H’s are not working as
anticipated.
As I explained at the Aberdeen All Energy Conference May 2006 there is a
‘missing link’ Selective statistics and incomplete information are masking the real
facts though I am not sure who is responsible for this. At the Conference,
the Head of Safeguarding Defence Estates (DE) explained that wind turbines
do affect radar. DE are looking for possible solutions. BUT national
Safety and Security are paramount
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Abstracts from Wind Power Monthly June 2006 · Investors take a hit: Struck by poor wind farm performance in Canada · Health warning: French national academy of medicine calls for ban on larger turbines · Nuclear and wind: Serious technical and economic conflicts rule out plans for nuclear and wind mix · Technical news: German utility focuses on ways to better manage wind on the grid |
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From Lilli Matson, Head of Transport and Natural Resources, Council for the Protection of Rural England, published in The Times on 19/01/99 Your article of January 9 paints a sorry of wind development in the UK. This is a tale which is not so much about landscape preservationists triumphing over green-energy developers as about the failure of successive governments to deliver effective policies to expand renewable energy. Ever since the introduction of financial subsidies for renewables in 1990, CPRE has highlighted the conflicts inherent in a system where subsidies are awarded to the cheapest projects with no reference made to their environmental impacts. This has led developers to focus on the very windiest sites, which frequently coincide with our best upland landscapes. Financial contracts have been given to projects in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and surrounding our National Parks. No wonder people cry out in defence of the landscape. The solution does not lie in weakening planning protection for the countryside, but in improving the way in which we fund renewable energy. This should ensure that environmentally damaging schemes are ruled out from the start and encourage a wider range of renewable technologies to be developed. The result would be less controversy over the location of renewable energy projects and more support for their growth. |
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CONCLUSION: Time now to work together to find the solution
Both Whinash March2006 and Barningham November1998 were decided by balancing potential benefits and potential disbenefits
Whinash: Both Ministers accept Mr Rose's conclusions that the
effects on the landscape and its value for recreation would be so serious that
they would outweigh the benefits of securing a renewable energy source and the
need to address climate change.
Mr Wicks "Tackling global warming is
critical but we must also nurture the immediate environment and wildlife.
This is at the crux of the debate over wind energy"
Barningham: Mr David Lavender dismissed the appeal by National Wind
Power. In his conclusion the Inspector stated he found nothing to persuade him
that the desirability of exploiting a clean renewable energy source at this
prominent skyline outweighed other important national policy
considerations, which include avoiding damage to attractive areas of
landscape.
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To balance
potential benefits and potential disbenefits is the only democratic way to make
an informed decision on any planning matter. A Protocol for public engagement with
proposed wind power developments in England that gives the impression windpower developments will always be permitted and that only
benefits will occur simply serves to favour wind energy developments.
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Sir
The most convincing argument to prevent the lights going out came
from the Chief Executive (CE) for The Energy Networks Association. A
previous CE of British Wind Energy Association he explained that an ageing
grid with the bulk of the transmission and distribution system built in the
1960s and a ‘life’ of about 50 year means we need to act now. To make
the necessary ‘changes’ we need to know what the energy mix will be. His
anticipation was that we need a mix of gas, coal, nuclear and renewables. Surely no longer a could or might situation but time to take stock of what actually is. Are wind turbines onshore doing what was promised? (Not in the North East). Time now to look at reality, time now to work together to find the solution. Elizabeth Mann (Acting Chair, Durham Branch CPRE) Western Mail 17/06/2006 |
28 June 2006 dti Noise Report to update ETSU- R -97 W45006560000
The report recommends, ETSU-R-97 be revisited. This will assess and apply a correction where aerodynamic modulation is a clearly audible feature. It is intended that the final report and recommendations be published in Autumn 2006
Comment; Until an official government document is available local authorities and the Inspectorate have no choice but to make decisions based on the flawed and outdated ETSU-R-97 as recommended in PPS22. PPS22 para 22 “ The1997 report by ETSU for the Department of Trade and Industry should be used to assess and rate noise from wind energy development”
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11 July 2006 Energy Review http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/review/
Comment: This would impose a tremendous burden on LPA’s and seems to further destroy the balancing act so essential to good planning and democracy.
concerns were raised that pressure from economic development were allowing excessive development of onshore wind. potential investors were concerned that new technologies needed support beyond the early research and development stage to ensure investor confidence could be sustained.
The Energy Review is a green paper and open for consultation.
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17 Jul 2006 ' Deeply flawed' Renewables Obligations need revision says Carbon Trust) www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=11704&channel=0 - 30k --
A drastic overhaul of the existing Renewables Obligation system is needed to redress weighting in favour of onshore wind power and landfill gas, according to climate change quango the Carbon Trust. More incentives are needed to build offshore windfarms, says the Carbon Trust
Comment: The Government must explain clearly to the consumers, who pay for it, exactly how the Renewables Obligation operates and in terms they can relate to. To place the emphasis on 'obligation' as Government and developers have done is surely misleading
e.g. Walkway Windfarm Sedgefield in the PM’s constituency
The Operator would expect to receive approximately £3 million a year in hidden subsidy (i.e. ROCs).
I am
solely responsible for the content of this website and wish to point out that
none of the organisations to which I belong, nor any of my family, have been
involved.
