Bullington Cross windfarm

Letter submitted to Andover Advertiser 21 June 2014

I am disappointed to see Test Valley councillors failed to support the proposed wind farm development at Bullington Cross. The arguments for and against the development have been well aired over the past few months and on balance it is obvious such developments are essential to the future economic prosperity of the area. The benefits, which would far outweigh any perceived costs include –

  • Generating over £4 million through a co-operative ownership scheme, which could fund community energy projects and tackle local fuel poverty
  • Reducing Hampshire’s annual CO2 emissions by 26,000 tonnes, equivalent to the removal of 9,000 cars from local roads
  • Reducing the £1 billion we spend locally every year on imported fossil fuels and generating almost £5 million in additional rates for local councils.

Climate change is a reality affecting everyone. We should take responsibility for our own energy production in Hampshire and reduce our impact on the environment. Our local councillors should take a lead in this. They have failed us and failed future generations.

Most disappointing is the fact that only 13 of the 27 members of the committee actually bothered to attend the planning meeting. They claim to represent local people and get paid to do so. Yet when they are asked to make an important local decision they let us all down. Next year many of them will be knocking on doors asking to be re-elected. They will have a lot of explaining to do.

Len Gates