This TV series shown on BBC2 Fridays, looks at several windfarm applications from conception to council planning meetings to appeals. It is very unusual to let TV cameras into a council chamber, even still cameras are banned.
The 1st episode, that is on BBC Iplayer for 14th May, is a project in Devon, I think 4-6 miles from a national park. Devon is notorious for being anti-wind NIMBY country unlike its neighbour Cornwall which also has tourism and stunning scenery. The councils planning officers recommended that the project be rejected as did the councillors - and I AGREE in this case. In both the Seamer/Hilton and Lambs Hill projects that we backed there were existing pylons, roads or railway lines close by and this meant it was not a pristine landscape. We all use electricity, we all generate CO2 that causes climate change a pressing, urgent problem. We need to strike a balance.
The whole onshore windfarm process needs to be speeded up but how to do it so that it is fair?
I look forward to the next episodes.