The truth about wind turbines is very hard to establish. Debate about the pros and cons is intrinsically riddled with bias. Perhaps this is the main reason why Government and commercial companies are able to impose their wishes on us without true consultation.

It almost appears as if the companies who propose the turbines go out of their way to be dishonest. Obvious example: “community windfarm”. You can’t call food “organic” unless it is organic. If we want a community windfarm we’ll come up with a scheme within our community thanks very much!

However the objection to the proposed windfarms is not personal. This is just simply not the place for 126 metre high wind turbines. Why would we be prepared to take the risk of mincing up the geese that live at Crowdy and the stunning flocks of starlings that live in the woods at Davidstow?

Starlings coming in to roost

Starlings coming in to roost in Davidstow woods

How could anyone think that installing giant moving machines will not affect them? The turbines aren’t just on their flight path, they are actually being proposed in the place that the birds roost. Would the companies be prepared to install them on a “try before you buy” basis or is it the case that once the turbines are installed they are here for ever with the only change being to periodically replace them with even bigger ones? In other locations evidence suggests that turbines do kill birds in significant numbers. Whether the evidence is relevant to these particular proposals can be debated but it is hard to imagine turbines being removed once installed if this does prove to be an issue. Is this the way we do science, engineering and business in the UK? If they were removed as a result of problems, how does that leave the carbon footprint of the project? A prudent person would do a proper independant study first and minimise the risks.

Neither are wind turbines the solution to our energy problems in general. Our output of C02 is still increasing year on year. The first thing we must do is to be more energy efficient. Walk instead of using the car to pop to the shop. Wear suitable clothes so that we can notch down the central heating. Turn off the lights when we don’t need them.

Roughtor was left to the nation as a memorial to those who fought in 43rd Wessex Division. Some think the aerodrome should be left as a memorial to those who flew from it. It is ironic that our servicemen and women are still giving their lives in the name of democracy while other people are trying to make a fast buck out of messing up these memorials with no discernable democratic process at all.

We think there should be open and truthful consultation about these proposals. Whatever you think the solution is, please involve yourself in the debate. We are confident that the arguments in favour of wind power as a significant, secure source of energy within the UK are weak.