Wind Power

Two weeks ago (Thursday 12th March) the Dereham Times reported that the latest planning appeal into two proposed wind turbines in Shipdham, near Dereham, had rejected the proposals. In his column on the letters page of the newspaper, chief reporter Ian Clarke was very dismissive of the proposals, arguing that the planning debate has gone on for so long that it is now time to give up. But he gives no consideration to the serious challenges we face with climate change and energy security. What alternative options does he propose?

I was tempted to write to the newspaper then, but decided to wait a week to see what other reaction there might be in the newspaper's letters pages. I was surprised! Balanced coverage? Hardly! Last week's Dereham Times' letters page (19th March) carried two letters about the Shipdham wind turbines, both highly negative. So in response to these I did write to the newspaper, and my letter was printed in this week's paper along side one by Geoff Hinchliffe from CANIS, the Shipdham group who support the wind turbine proposals. The letters were printed under the headline "Our energy has to come from somewhere - so why not here?" which is very good considering the nonsense the paper can sometimes invent (e.g. what I refer to at the end of my letter)! I post my letter below, as I wrote it. What the Times has printed is in italics (they didn't print all of the last line).


In response to the Shipdham wind turbine debate, I ask doesn't the energy we use have to be generated somewhere? So why shouldn't it be in our own "Back Yard"? It has to be in someone's back yard! Is Brian Kidd [letters, 19th March] arguing to have a coal or nuclear power station, or a waste incinerator on his doorstep? What is he arguing FOR? I know that I would much rather see a few wind turbines! And we cannot continue using up finite resources like oil, coal, and uranium infinitely. We have to start making the transition towards truly sustainable, renewable energy, and lower energy lifestyles for the sake of our economy, our society, and our environment.

The climate globally is warming as a result of our CO2 emissions (contrary to Malcolm Heymer's assertions [letters, 19th March]). Only recently the official predictions for sea-level-rise during this century have been doubled due to the latest scientific observations from the polar regions which are said to be the fastest warming regions of the planet.

We all have to begin taking the urgent action needed to avert climate chaos. I believe that having some wind turbines in our local landscape will be one small part of this. Another part is to get a "Recycling Centre" in Dereham (it is NOT a "rubbish tip" as the newspaper wrongly labels it! Please use the right term in your headlines).

Matt Walker