North Buc ndfarm: Sustainable or Just Available said, some colleagues do try; normally by sitting on the fence. However, I believe constituents deserve more from their elected representatives which is why I have decided to take up the fight on behalf of the majority of residents in North East Milton Keynes and oppose the wind farm proposals in North Bucks. This is not a knee-jerk reaction, but follows my own research and careful thought. My reasons are as follows. Bucks landscape is currently dominated First of all, I hope that my record to date in Parliament shows that I have green credentials' . Through Parliamentary questions, I have actively pushed the Government to invest more in research for alternative energy and like many I believe that climate change is the most significant long term threat to bio-diversity worldwide. I have supported Early Day Motions that call r moves to increase energy efficiency, reduce energy demand and supply more of our energy needs from renewable sources. However, this does not mean that I feel compelled to support every wind farm proposal without question, particularly if on balance it appears that the environmental bene ts r an application are outweighed by the death toll of 6,450 birds in one year.l l I have also written to Cranfield rfieldl to ask for their views, as a site vital t the continued success of our city it is essential that the farm should not have a detrimental effect on their activities. environmental cost. Whilst a full cost / benefit analysis has yet to be produced, the environmental on assessing the environmental cost benefit analysis of the project, but I for one will take some convincing that the project has less to do with making a contribution to sustainable energy tha() a target driven profit for the developer. Shortly after the news broke about this development I met with the It will also be very interesting to see what the Council and Councillors do in response to this issue. I hope they will not sit on the fence and attempt to kick the issue into touch until after the local elections next May. • E ven as a new Environment Agency to find out Mark Lancaster our Local MP Member of Parliament I know it is impossible to please all people all of the time. That more. They con rmed my suspicions that there is a complete lack of strategic planning in the Government's approach to wind farm development. Sites, like this one, appear to be selected not on their suitability, but on their target driven availability. I am genuinely concerned that whilst wind farms have a role to play in the future supply of energy for our country, the Government is dogmatic in its reliance on wind and desperately needs to broaden its search and funding for alternative energy. cost has the potential to be One of the biggest drawbacks of wind power is that it is erratic and unreliable. Wind on average only blows for 35% of the time and since our capacity to store power is severely limited, over reliance on wind can lead to demand exceeding supply. It is believed that the UK's transmission network can cope with up to 10% of its electricity supplied by wind, but after this, investment in storage and back-up is required or black outs may resu!t.[ll northern Spain found that an onshore It is no coincidence that this site, together with the other two sites nearby, would be the most isolated 'wind nest' in Britain. The House of Lords' Science and Technology Committee's own figures show that North Bucks is one of the least windy places in Northern Europe. I am told that even the developers' own readings show the site to be marginal at best. Another concern is noise. Low frequency noise is generated by wind turbines and can travel further than ordinary noise. The health impact of low frequency noise varies according to each individual as some are more sensitive to it than others. Possible effects include annoyance, stress, irritation, unease, tigue, headache, disturbed sleep and possible nausea.[3] considerable. The sheer size of the turbines at over 400ft will dominate for miles. By way of comparison, the North by Hanslope Church at j ust slightly over 1/3 the height of the proposed windmills. I have written to the RSPB to ask their opinion as the impact of the site on the wild bird population at Emberton Country Park, at a time when we are trying to encourage an increase in numbers, One report from wind farm of 400 turbines led to the 2 Clearly much work needs to be done 8 9.0 .; ·r.0.6D 5.5-1.0 &.5 Average nd Speeds in Europe - Source: House ofLords Science and [ 1] [2] [3] [4] House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, 4th Report of Session 2003-4, Renewables Energy: Practicalites, London, The Stationary O ice. Country Guardian website, Wind farms, E ects on bird life. http://www.councryguardian.net/Birds%20a nd%20Bats.htm Casella Stanger, Low Frequency Noise - Technical Research Support for DEFRA Noise Programme, 200 1 House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, Renewable Energy - Practicalities, Chapter 3 - Technological Feasibility, Box 1, pl9, 15 July 2004 PAGE 24 PHONEBOX Technology Commi ee.[4]