RESULT.

At least the Councillers understand the visual impact even if their overpaid planning & regeneration officers together with their appointed consultant(fees paid by council tax payers because the planners cannot do their job) live in another world.

The rudeness towards the planning officers expressed by Divers-uk (above) continues a theme that was all too apparent in the Maltings theatre yesterday. Even though I disagreed with most of the comments made by people from the likes of MAG (Moorsyde Action Group) and SOUL (Save Our Unspoilt Countryside), I listened to what they had to say attentively and courteously. Indeed, I have to admit that many of the presentations were delivered with an eloquence that I had to admire.

It remains my view, however, that many of those who complain about the wind turbines' visual impact have done no more than dress up their naked self interest with shallow and unconvincing arguments about being custodians of a ‘secret kingdom’.

Before the arrival on their doorstep of these proposals, what exactly had they done to campaign against the far worse intrusions of electricity pylons and power stations such as Drax? Or have they comfortably switched their lights on for years with hardly a thought for the North Yorkshire villagers who had this monstrosity imposed on them? Or maybe they don’t think North Yorkshire compares to their own neck of the woods? (Please don’t think, by the way, that the electricity you use is necessarily generated near to where you live!)

If indeed you care so passionately about our beautiful countryside (and not just that part of it which you can see from your own home - or nearby to it), may I suggest you consider doing without electricity as a protest against a) the 'devastation' to the countryside caused by conventional power stations and their transmission infrastructure; and b) the huge profits made by the companies from who you buy your electricity.

As a NIMBY affected by this application i did so knowing that 80% of the time the eyesore is just that. Plus the reaming 20% of time generating is at the whim of nature not a switch when required. I have previously lived near a coal fired station, it has none of those issues.

The massive profits that seem to be your objection to convential power is odd. As an end user wind farm electricity costs more than coal to buy with most RELs and has greater subsidy.

One presumes that living in Durham you live with your own generated elctric as you could not possibly have power lines into your home.

As regards the planning department given that you are from Durham your comment is? As a Berwick ratepayer I pay for the planning department. As a ratepayer i have funded the consultant that was employed to consider the planning application and the planners that have also been involved. The application that has taken 3 or so years to finally be put to the planning committee. Government guidance is to consider a major apllication within 13 weeks. Presumably you will be able to enlighten me as to why I have received value for money as a ratepayer.

Come on Mr John Everett; Berwick was expecting that you would turn up on Thursday. You had to, 'cos you get paid by wind farm developers to try and recruit support for their schemes. Funny that most of Thursday's few "supporters" were staying in Berwick hotels! As for Berwick lads campaigning against Drax... well that's not really relevant is it? Local folk need to examine local planning issues about local planning applications, to see if the proposels fit the local conditions. That's why local planning applications are printed in the local paper like the Berwick Advertiser. The local people have spoken, the local councillors of the planning committee have decided, and the local communities will be the better for it. Wind turbines like these are forced into areas like this simply 'cos they give their developers the chance to tap into a muckle big subsidy, which if you read the papers, even the government seem to realise isn't worth it for the piddling benefit delivered, plus all the hassle and local damage. Sorry, but we need Drax and its likes, (and a few new ones) if we want to stay powered by electric. We don't need intermittant wind turbines here in rural Berwick or a whole lot more wasted transmission lines to go with them.

Berwick Lad has hit the nail on the head as far as the supporters motives!! John Everett has been clearly exposed in artical's in both the Burton Mail and Uttoxeter Advertiser, just google "bagot's park wind farm" to find.