Not Worth The Effort?

Not Worth The Effort?

I was horrifed to read the article in the Wisbech Standard today “Turbine protests are a waste of energy.”  Apparently, a gentleman called Mr Stoneman from March feels that – although he opposes the construction of wind turbines in his area – it is “pointless” to do so officially.  His argument?  That Fenland District Council are ‘easy pickings’ and that he feels they will simply give the plan the go-ahead with little or no debate.

First, I must say that my own experience of Fenland District Council suggests quite the opposite.  Regularly, their planning committee have gone against officer advice and refused (or allowed) projects – often after intense debate and in response to public opinion.  It seems a little mean-spirited to suggest they are a soft touch when many developers would take quite a different view after their pet project was turfed out.

But if I were a district councillor I would be a little concerned about this view.  If Mr. Stoneman feels this way – rightly or wrongly – then maybe other people do too?  This may be simply the result of a public relations failure or it may be the result of the clever and consistent undermining being carried on by activists from other parties – or recently elected new opposition councillors who miss no opportunity to publish their propoganda.

To Mr Stoneman I would say this – it is most definitely worth the effort!  But this sort of thing is not the job of your council alone.  They are not mind-readers and they cannot act on angry words pubished third-hand in the local paper.  Get up, get vocal and get active.  That’s what the people of Tydd St. Giles are doing right now – facing the same shadow over their village that concerns you in your area.  I am confident your local representatives will be as vociferous and passionate in your cause as I am trying to be for the people in my division.  And if you would like any help do feel free to contact me and I’ll add my voice to yours - for what it’s worth.
 
There is no point just complaining.  It achieves nothing.  Make your stand and you will find that others stand with you!  And in case you don’t think I am willing to practice what I preach – I am speaking in South Holland tonight at a public meeting organised to challenge the turbine development in my own division.  We haven’t won yet – but we wont go down without a fight.