Change is afoot.
I’ve never stood eye-to-eye politically with the village I have called, for the last 24 years, my home. Whilst not outwardly party political, my family has always had a left-leaning outlook on life that is at odds with the traditionally Conservative views of the Majority. To add further flies to the ointment, I’ve come to realise there is an inherent distrust for Change amongst the movers and shakers of village life. And so, it shouldn’t really surprise me then that the reception to the proposals to build a windfarm on the old airfield has been less than favourable.
As far as I can see, their reasons for saying ‘NO’ are the stock complaints to the wind industry. Appearance, house values and noise top the list along with the general sense that it would lead to an ‘industrialisation’ of the countryside – a bad argument to choose when the proposed site sits opposite the Industrial estate!
Now for a little back-story.
Kimbolton is, with maybe the exception of Cape Town, one of the windiest places I have ever known. I understood the term ‘prevailing wind’ when I was still in Primary School, and soon after learnt that whichever direction you cycle in, you will always be going against the wind.
The village itself is in a shallow valley, but once you’ve climbed the ‘hill’ (and having lived in Cornwall, I use the term loosely), there are very few bumps in the landscape ‘til you hit the Wash. In other words, there’s no natural windbreak. So it’s hardly surprising that the area has been picked out by the planners – it’s perfect!
But what about the site?
Used in WW2 by the American Airforce, the ‘Stop the Bicton Windfarm’ group would like you to believe that it is a historic piece of ground, a cornerstone in the county’s history. Personally, I feel that this report by the BBC is slightly closer to the truth.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the airfield. Currently training for a Triathlon, both my running and cycle routes take me up there on a regular basis. And walk up there on a cold, clear autumn evening when the mist rises from the ground, you’ll understand where ghost stories come from – it’s bleak and yet beautiful at the same time.
But the fact of the matter is it’s completely unloved.
I’m not quite sure now where this blog post is going. I fear this may lead to others and I have an unshakeable urge to make mischief building up inside me. My current situation won’t allow me to start a counter-campaign quite yet, but as a once active member of this community, I feel it is my duty to say it how it is.
It all started with a leaflet from the Stop the Bicton Windfarm campaign (which, incidentally is being run by someone I have never heard of (and lets recap I’ve lived here for 24 years!)). This led to a sneak peak at the website, which is, by the way, completely misleading. That photo at the top of the page isn’t the proposed site at all – it’s at the other end of the village. In fact, there isn’t a picture of the proposed site on the whole of the website. It’s truly ridiculous. If you say that the land’ll be ruined by the appearance of these monstrosities, show us the land that’ll be ruined!
I could go on, but I won’t……….. yet.
Gah! It’s the only word to describe the anger, the sheer closed-mindedness, the innate distrust for any sort of positive change and the Nimbyism! As a member of the generation who is going to have to deal with the climate fiasco, I’m standing tall with my convictions.
We, as a nation, nay, as a planet, are soon going to be facing an energy crisis. Wind, whilst it has its faults, is a clean, renewable, and constant source of power. Kimbolton, in this case, is blessed with a strong and reliable wind, which has a definite prevailing direction. Apart from two outlying farms, the proposed site is far away from all the villages stated in the website, and will help secure a greener future for the generation to come.
Something has to be done, because if the planet continues to warm and the sea-level predictions are true then, as I said before, the land surrounding Kimbolton is flat from here to the sea!
I am planning on writing a letter to our village magazine in support of the proposals, which I hope will lead to a reasoned debate of the issue.
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Economy vs Environment: The battle for the Future! Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tags: Alistair Campbell, Barack Obama, Climate Change, Credit Crunch, Economy, Environment, Gordon Brown, Mary Stokes, Recession, UK, USA
All eyes have been on the US this week as the new administration take possession of the keys to the Oval Office. Change was promised but will it be delivered? However, back here in the UK another story has also been bubbling away, coming to a head on Friday when it was announced that our economy is officially in Recession.
So where now?
Over the past few weeks there have been a whole host of articles/ blogs speculating on how President Obama will tackle the issue of climate change and the environment. I, like many, was disappointed that it was not mentioned in his inauguration speech last Tuesday, but the signs suggest it is still one of his top priorities.
It was in this vein that I read Peter Seligmann’s editorial piece for the BBC Setting out Obama’s Green Agenda.
The piece itself was nothing different from what I had read before – a good synopsis of the issues facing our community, but nothing to blog about specifically. However, a reader’s comment flagged up an issue which I’ve touched upon before. In such uncertain times, which should prevail – the Economy or the Environment?
For years politicians have been promising action on the environment, promising to create sustainable fuel alternatives and cutting carbon emissions. Now however the time for promises is over, action is required, and oh look – it’s an untapped industry to boot!
In his Pre-Budget Report, Alistair Campbell set out a strategy which would create jobs and help the UK reach its environmental targets. If you’ll excuse the cliche, it was a case of killing 2 birds with one stone. But it would seem that those on the other side of the pond, have had similar ideas.
In the month’s since his election, Barack Obama has often spoken of taking America in a new direction. There has been talk of an “age of responsibility” and a team of environmental heavyweights has been established help do just that. But in a country where oil tycoons weild so much power, can the future really be green? Or will it be yet another case of greenwash?
The word “economy” popped up throughout the list of the previous White House’s environmental “achievements.” They were at least honest enough to admit that the environement was an issue only when economically expedient. And as much as I would love to believe that the move towards a more greener and responsible society is the result of some sort of ecological epiphany, I can’t. In answer to Brendan, yes the time to fix the environment was when we were flush, but where was the political motivation? For all our claims of enlightenment, Western society is incredibly short sighted.
But at the end of the day, it is better that something is being done. What’s the point of rebuilding the economy if the planet we live on is falling down around our ears?
Cantankerous Frank ¦ Mark Roberts
N.B. Brendan, I don’t whine. I may well object, remonstrate and criticise but please don’t confuse these with the actions of a 2 year old having a tantrum.