We tend to disagree with the editorial in yesterday’s Denbighshire Free Press when it hints that we should enjoy the hundreds of lights that illuminate our towns at Christmastide without worrying too much about the impact on global warming.
We should worry because demand for electricity, rising as it is by 1-2 per cent each year, threatens the upland areas west of Rhuthun with large-scale industrial wind farm development. Such developments are seen as good for the environment when, in fact, they are questionable.
We’re not advocating town centre lights be switched off. In fact, it’s good to see them in the centre of Rhuthun—more lights in the last couple of years have made such a difference. And those in Dinbych are especially good, this year.
No. There are two things of concern. First, we must wake up to the link between energy consumption and the need for wind farms. Secondly, the rising number of homeowners who feel it is appropriate to adorn their houses in American-style illuminated decorations—all-over decorations—creates excess demand.
In other words, the future’s in our own hands. Are all these decorations necessary? What affect do these have on emissions? When compared to the modest strings for all to see slung across Well Street, Clwyd Street and the top of Market Street, individual over-the-top house decorations waste electricity and often remain unseen, except by neighbours.
Towards the end of November, Conwy planning committee rejected 12 turbines near Cerrigydrudion. Politicians went against the recommendations of their officers in saying “no”. Local people didn’t want the turbines. They were concerned, too, about the impact the turbine would have on tourism.
The applicant will no doubt appeal. It’s likely that a single planning inspector will overturn Conwy’s decision, particularly as council officers recommended approval. This is precisely what happened at Gwyddelwern, also near Rhuthun. The planning inspector will point to TAN 8 guidance from the Assembly government, a document that outlines the policy and areas deemed suitable for wind farms. It’s also a document virtually no one in the areas affected had heard of, till planning applications came through.
This leaves those living under the threat of wind farms somewhat voiceless. It would be good to be able to report that wind farm developments should only be with the consent of local people. Sadly, this is almost never the case. Locals appear powerless in the face of TAN 8.
And here, again, we need to link consumption and supply. The more power we need, the more the likelihood of the so-called Clwyd Power Station being built. Whatever happened to energy conservation?
We should worry because demand for electricity, rising as it is by 1-2 per cent each year, threatens the upland areas west of Rhuthun with large-scale industrial wind farm development. Such developments are seen as good for the environment when, in fact, they are questionable.
We’re not advocating town centre lights be switched off. In fact, it’s good to see them in the centre of Rhuthun—more lights in the last couple of years have made such a difference. And those in Dinbych are especially good, this year.
No. There are two things of concern. First, we must wake up to the link between energy consumption and the need for wind farms. Secondly, the rising number of homeowners who feel it is appropriate to adorn their houses in American-style illuminated decorations—all-over decorations—creates excess demand.
In other words, the future’s in our own hands. Are all these decorations necessary? What affect do these have on emissions? When compared to the modest strings for all to see slung across Well Street, Clwyd Street and the top of Market Street, individual over-the-top house decorations waste electricity and often remain unseen, except by neighbours.
Towards the end of November, Conwy planning committee rejected 12 turbines near Cerrigydrudion. Politicians went against the recommendations of their officers in saying “no”. Local people didn’t want the turbines. They were concerned, too, about the impact the turbine would have on tourism.
The applicant will no doubt appeal. It’s likely that a single planning inspector will overturn Conwy’s decision, particularly as council officers recommended approval. This is precisely what happened at Gwyddelwern, also near Rhuthun. The planning inspector will point to TAN 8 guidance from the Assembly government, a document that outlines the policy and areas deemed suitable for wind farms. It’s also a document virtually no one in the areas affected had heard of, till planning applications came through.
This leaves those living under the threat of wind farms somewhat voiceless. It would be good to be able to report that wind farm developments should only be with the consent of local people. Sadly, this is almost never the case. Locals appear powerless in the face of TAN 8.
And here, again, we need to link consumption and supply. The more power we need, the more the likelihood of the so-called Clwyd Power Station being built. Whatever happened to energy conservation?
Tags:
Wind farms