It is an uncomfortable fact that by 2020 we will be completely dependant on Russia for our gas supplies, a supply that could be cut off at any time.

To ensure continuity of our electrical supply it is vital that, as a country, we become more self supporting.

Wind farms have the potential to supply 20%, or more, of our country's electricity requirement.

It would be criminal to ignore this valuable national resource.
This county is committed to reducing carbon emissions.

Wind is a clean, sustainable energy source, and wind turbines have a very low carbon footprint typically replacing the energy used in their manufacture within 3 to 5 months. The life of a wind turbine is 25 years.

The proposed site at Thackson's Well Farm is flat, windy, farm land with a string of electrical pylons nearby.

It is well away from the surrounding villages. It is difficult to imagine a more suitable site for a wind farm.

It is not surprising that during public consultation on Thackson's Well Wind Farm the majority of local villagers were in favour of the project.

A recent poll conducted by the Grantham Journal showed 80% support for the wind farm.

Opponents say that wind turbines are visually intrusive but great care has been taken to minimise the impact on the surrounding villages.

Not all people believe that they are unpleasant. Many, like me, believe that they are tall elegant beautiful structures and will do much to enhance the look of this bit of countryside.

If built, the wind farm would stand as a symbol of a better, less polluted future.

As such, it will be a source of considerable civic pride to the local villagers.


Why I'm worried about the wind farm - Peter Caswell, from Normanton

WHY are you worried about the wind farm? It's a common question asked by friends.

Doing my own research, recommended minimum distances between wind turbines and homes started popping up.


These recommendations appeared to all be related to noise and health issues.


Our Government's standard for wind farm noise issues (ETSU-R-97) was compiled in 1996. The majority of people who worked on ETSU-R-97 were associated with the wind industry.


Since it was published wind turbine heights have doubled and capacity has gone up four-fold (600kW v 2.3 MW).


As a potential neighbour to 2 wind farms, I was alarmed to read what the experts hired by the Government say in: Research Into Aerodynamic Modulation (AM) of Wind Turbine Noise: "AM cannot be fully predicted at present, and its causes are not fully understood". No further research was apparently justified on the basis it affects small numbers of people.


Reference has been made to surveys which appear to show that there are low numbers of complaints against existing wind farms.


Having driven around the country for work, I wonder how many of the existing wind farms I've seen (often much smaller) are sited near villages.


Now there are potential development sites such as Thackson's Well with entire villages under 2km, this picture seems likely to change.


If a noise problem occurred, can it be sorted out? Is there a realistic review procedure?


My research tells me the answer is no - if you have typical family finances. The wind industry either says there are no noise problems, or, if there is a problem, we'll fix it once the turbines are up.


There is, of course, the argument that wind farms have to be put up as they may help fight climate change.


If, as claimed, the numbers of noise problems and people affected really are small, should there not be some help for them?


Finally, looking at the recommended distances from homes. Scotland guidance says 2,000m, the French National Academy of Medicine says 1,500m. If just 1,500m recommendation was applied to the Thackson's Well site, there is simply no room for wind turbines. The closest home to the site is 690m.


I simply ask a question, why should we not be worried?


Click here to see a graph of the minimum recommended distances for wind turbines compared to the proposed distance of turbines planned for Thackson's Well from the closest home.