Green energy is no excuse to ride roughshod over residents

The decision to build a 120-metre tall wind turbine off Wentloog Road, Rumney may have been an admirable attempt by the energy company Ecotricity to move away from fossil fuels, but the lack of consulation with residents should give green-minded planners food for thought.  

Though the chief financial officer of the green electricity company claims there was a full public consultation, the fact nobody raised any concerns should have seemed strange.

There are strong arguments in favour of building more wind turbines, many of which even complaining residents will agree with.

Indeed, if the Government is to make good on its committment to reduce carbon emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, then serious investment in renewable energy is needed.  

But there is simply no need to build these turbines so close to residential areas.  Wind energy may be better for the environment, but it causes noise pollution which can make life unbearable for residents living close to generators.  

The UK is an island, and so has ample opportunity to develop its off-shore wind farms.  The Thanet wind farm off the Kent coast is the largest in the world and there is no reason why this should not set an example for the rest of the country.  

 If a land option has to be sought, solar panels for example may not be considered attractive by everyone, but at least they will not cause the same levels of annoyance for people living next to them.  

This paper welcomes attempts to move to renewable energy but there should be serious question marks over whether development in residential areas is the best way forward, and any proposals made should be subject to the strictest scrutiny from those who are the most affected.