It certainly seems that Vattenfall mean business and will do everything in their power to win the hearts and minds of local villagers in their quest to build a wind farm. It appears that expense is no object as they can afford to post leaflets to every household in surrounding villages including Branston. From the point of view of the Protect Nocton Fen group it seems very much a case of David and Goliath when it comes to financial clout. Of course at the end of the day it is the Planning Inspectorate that Vattenfall need to convince about the merits of the proposed wind farm. The views of local people for or against are a subsidiary concern. Make no mistake about it though, PNF face a formidable battle to slay Vattenfall (to use a metaphorical phrase) but as the evidence has shown in other anti-wind farm campaigns it is nevertheless very much a real possibility. To come out on top PNF will have to produce very convincing and research backed evidence that Nocton wind farm should not go ahead. The stakes are very high and we have a duty to future generations to ensure that Nocton fen is not transformed from a fenland landscape to an industrial wasteland. Richard
Thanks for your comment Richard. This reminds me very much of how CAFFO felt when we were campaigning against the Nocton super-dairy application. In this case however, you are up against a large corporate body who have a well-tested approach to community engagement. I believe it will be difficult for any single campaign group to contribute the 'killer blow' to any future planning application, but a well co-ordinated approach with others can have a synergistic effect. A stoic and well-researched submission can win through... and if the political climate is also cooling towards the development of onshore wind farms, this may assist your cause.
I notice from the recent Vattenfall letter that the proposed site has now reduced in size compared to the original one - (which is still shown on their website). Is this a ploy by Vattenfall to look like they are doing us a favour? However, what usually happens is that once wind turbines are in place, a domino effect occurs and we end up with more than the original plan! Diane Easton, Bardney resident
From what I have been told by Vattenfall the reduced area has come about, in part at least so that no properties will be within a certain prescribed distance ie.too close. I understand also that there is no plan for turbines on the south side of Nocton delph (as shown on map). The reduced area certainly does not mean there will be less turbines - 23 could be fitted within the red shaded area. Good to have your comments Diane as in the past I have been very much a lone voice speaking about the proposed wind farm. Richard from Metheringham
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It certainly seems that Vattenfall mean business and will do everything in their power to win the hearts and minds of local villagers in their quest to build a wind farm. It appears that expense is no object as they can afford to post leaflets to every household in surrounding villages including Branston. From the point of view of the Protect Nocton Fen group it seems very much a case of David and Goliath when it comes to financial clout.
ReplyDeleteOf course at the end of the day it is the Planning Inspectorate that Vattenfall need to convince about the merits of the proposed wind farm. The views of local people for or against are a subsidiary concern. Make no mistake about it though, PNF face a formidable battle to slay Vattenfall (to use a metaphorical phrase) but as the evidence has shown in other anti-wind farm campaigns it is nevertheless very much a real possibility. To come out on top PNF will have to produce very convincing and research backed evidence that Nocton wind farm should not go ahead. The stakes are very high and we have a duty to future generations to ensure that Nocton fen is not transformed from a fenland landscape to an industrial wasteland.
Richard
Thanks for your comment Richard. This reminds me very much of how CAFFO felt when we were campaigning against the Nocton super-dairy application. In this case however, you are up against a large corporate body who have a well-tested approach to community engagement. I believe it will be difficult for any single campaign group to contribute the 'killer blow' to any future planning application, but a well co-ordinated approach with others can have a synergistic effect. A stoic and well-researched submission can win through... and if the political climate is also cooling towards the development of onshore wind farms, this may assist your cause.
ReplyDeleteI notice from the recent Vattenfall letter that the proposed site has now reduced in size compared to the original one - (which is still shown on their website). Is this a ploy by Vattenfall to look like they are doing us a favour? However, what usually happens is that once wind turbines are in place, a domino effect occurs and we end up with more than the original plan! Diane Easton, Bardney resident
ReplyDeleteFrom what I have been told by Vattenfall the reduced area has come about, in part at least so that no properties will be within a certain prescribed distance ie.too close. I understand also that there is no plan for turbines on the south side of Nocton delph (as shown on map). The reduced area certainly does not mean there will be less turbines - 23 could be fitted within the red shaded area.
ReplyDeleteGood to have your comments Diane as in the past I have been very much a lone voice speaking about the proposed wind farm.
Richard
from Metheringham