'Nimby' accusation blows up windfarm storm

Adam Hewitt • Published 25 Feb 2010 19:00 5 Comments

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ANTI-WINDFARM campaigners have been written off as "nimbys" by Labour Party campaigners who are urging planners to approve five new turbines in a bid to tackle climate change.

Tory councillors in Earley have come out against the plans for the five 80m turbines at the Rushy Mead site south of the M4, but this week Reading East Labour candidate Anneliese Dodds and Wokingham candidate George Davidson dismissed their objections and those of local campaigners Householders Against Rushy Mead (Harm).

Ms Dodds said: "I was very sad to see the nimby campaign against the windfarm at Rushy Mead, and the fears some people are trying to fan. People are often frightened of something new, but this isn't new, it isn't even new to this area. We already have a wind turbine at Green Park and many wind farms across the country are producing the power we all need.

"The ice-caps are melting, the seas are rising, islands like the Maldives may disappear under the waters, crops are threatened, and we are seeing unprecedented floods even in this country. Nobody can seriously doubt that our climate is changing in a way that is a threat to us all. That has got to be addressed and making more use of renewable energy is vital to our future."

Mr Davidson said it showed Conservative divisions over the environment, adding: "It will be interesting to see which Tory party turns up to the planning meeting. Will it be David Cameron's wind turbine loving all-new Tory party? Or the same old Tories stuck in the last century?"

Ms Dodds urged Wokingham Borough Council to "face down the campaigners" when it makes its final decision on Partnership for Renewable's (PfR) windfarm bid, if and when it submits a planning application. This is widely expected to come in the next few months but PfR says it will only press ahead if site-specific noise assessments show it is the right location and within noise guidelines.

Harm campaigner Jan Heard hit back at Labour after the "nimby" comments.

She said: "It's not nimbyism at all! This is about our health. We are not opposed to renewables, so how disappointing it was to find that the scientific evidence confirmed our worst fears. If built these five turbines could seriously damage the health of those living within 1.5km (0.9 miles), including areas of Arborfield, Shinfield, Sindlesham and Lower Earley - vast numbers of people. We need energy, but not this way.

"By engaging an expert and holding a public meeting we sought answers regarding the health implications of a wind-machine development, that have not been forthcoming from developers over the 18 month period of 'public consultation'.

"Under this Government, buffer-zones between turbines and homes, required by many other countries to protect residents from sleep deprivation, have not been introduced here.

"It seems local residents are not allowed to seek expert opinion or voice concerns without easy insults of nimbyism."

Wokingham MP John Redwood, whose constituency includes Rushy Mead and Lower Earley, was unavailable for comment yesterday (Wednesday).

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

David
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Mar 6, 14:29
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@Ms Dodds - how far do you live from this planned development? Quite some distance from it I suspect.

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Joseph Reina
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Mar 7, 20:39
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David , if someone told you that your house was going to loose 30% or more of its value would you be so flippant ? I live within a mile of the proposed location for these turbines & if they go up then the words European court and class action spring to mind. I by the way am pro renewable energy but not when it impacts so may families and there are plenty of places to build these farms in low impact areas. As for Mr Redwood where is he when hot issues such as this arise ? Oh hang on he is blogging the departure of his Jag and the arrival of his 4x4 ! Don't play Mr Green by ducking these issues because they potentially conflict with Cameron's Green mantra . If you where green you would not own a Jag or be buying a 4x4 ! Stand by the people who voted for you or prepare for the backlash.

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F Connolly
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Mar 9, 07:43
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Good letter Joseph and very much to the point.However, I do not think that David (letter 6th March) is being flippant as he seems to be pointing out that these turbines are probably Not In Ms Dodds Back Yard.

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Joseph Reina
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Mar 13, 18:50
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Oh Sugar sorry David :p

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Howard Thomas
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Mar 14, 00:40
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Ms Dodds ....you really are a sucker......look at the evidence for the 'climate change religion' and you will find that it does not stack up!

Add to that the fact that there is technology that can easily produce vehicles that give 30% more mpg while massively reducing emissions. Unfortunately the government does not particularly like such technology, probably because the tax take would go down ! Tony Blair ,your ex leader , told us that global warming was "the most serious problem facing the planet " and then proceeded to do sod all about it.

I put it top you that our government believe the same as I do..............that the whole thing is a load of cobblers , and the only 'good' that can come out of it is an increase in taxation!

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