Page 13 - Phonebox Magazine February 2008

• Weddings / Events
• Corporate Flowers
• Gift Bouquets n
t 01234 711622
m 07970 297051
e caroline@anthos-flowers.co.uk
www .anthos-flowers.co.uk
Dear Sir
The planning meeting held on 17 December to consider the merits of building a new wind farm at Emberton was a classic case of local democracy gone wrong. As far as anyone could tell amongst the obvious political grandstanding that was indulged in by the local councillors, it was quite clear that local opinion, as represented by those most directly affected by the development rather than those simply viewing events from afar, is overwhelmingly opposed to this project. Given that the area affected by the proposed development is the highest rated area of unspoilt countryside within the entire Milton Keynes area and is universally acknowleged as such, one expected to hear an overwhelmingly convincing argument for building this development in this particular location and thereby irretrievably changing this beautiful landscape for ever.
This compelling argument never materialised. Yes we heard a lot of what indeed may be wise words about the need to support renewable energy but at what cost. What was clear is that we seem to have the wrong type of wind in this area as it is simply not strong enough – hardly surprising given the local terrain and the distance we are from the sea! The proposed wind farm will consist of seven turbines that are 125m high, each of which is at least twice the height of Olney Church. This will create a structure that will be visible for miles around but yet it doesn't seem that there is actually enough wind to operate these turbines efficiently. In the meantime this beautiful unspoilt countryside will be ruined for the local residents for ever as we all know that once planning permission is accepted for the wind farm other developments will follow.
One was left with the overwhelming impression that the local councillors were far more interested in being seen to 'tick the box' as far as demonstrating a commitment to renewable energy rather than debating the merits of this particular case. There are obviously serious issues that need to be debated here but it would be nice to think that this could be done within the confines of some sort of 'joined-up' thinking between local and national goverment. Yet we are left with a situation where national goverment is now thinking offshore as far as building new wind farms is concerned, our European neighbours are questioning their previous support for wind farms, but in the meantime the lights at the Council building were shining brightly well into the night as the disgruntled local residents left the planning meeting.
Trevor Roberts
Second Approval for Wind Farm
HYPNOSIS
HYPNOTHERAPY
In Olney
John van Weenen
C.M.H., C.Hyp., P.N.L.P., M.U.K.G.H.E. MEMBER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GUILD OF HYPNOTIST EXAMINERS
Lose Weight Fast Stop Smoking Forever
For a special FREE screening, advice and consultation telephone
• Stress • Alcohol Abuse •
• Confidence • Panic Attacks • and many other problem areas Full counselling service
01234 714999 07771 566688
Mediterranean Restaurant
On 8 January all Milton Keynes Councillors took another look at the process of how the Milton Keynes Wind Farm was determined at the December 2007 Development Control Committee meeting. After nearly two hours of hearing the evidence a vote was held, and a majority of Councillors voted against Cllr Debbie Brock’s motion to force a re- hearing of the application. James Townsend, Senior Development Manager of Your Energy Ltd, the Company behind the seven turbine scheme said today, “We are obviously very pleased that the approval given last month still stands and that the Council is satisfied with the decision made by the Development Control Committee last month. The next step for us is to work towards commencing construction by the end of this year, and to have the seven turbines operational in 2009.”
Alison Hood, Communications Manager added “We would like to acknowledge those people in Milton Keynes who took direct action over the past four years to support the project, it is vital that the local community get involved and this positive result is a tribute to their hard work.”
The company advises anyone interested in providing services during the construction period or with ideas for the community benefit fund to submit their details through their website: www.miltonkeyneswindfarm.com
For project construction news and updates, go to
www.miltonkeyneswindfarm.com
OLNEY
Special Menu
for n
n
Phone 01234 714600
4 The Galleries, Market Place, Olney, Bucks MK46 4EA
email: kasbaholney@hotmail.co.uk
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11.30am–2.30pm & 6.00pm–10.00pm
Valentines Night
~ BOOK NOW ~
Phonebox Magazine 13
Stunning designs for Valentines