Press Release

10 January 2006

'Paice Sends Message to Windfarm Meetings' 

Jim Paice has expressed his concerns over the windfarm proposal near Balsham and has had the following letter read out on his behalf at the public meetings in Balsham and West Wratting:


Dear resident,

I am sorry that I am not able to be present tonight but look forward to hearing the outcome of the meeting. It is my intention to arrange a further meeting later in the spring when local residents have had a chance to examine the proposals and consider their conclusions.

In my view there are two issues here. Firstly whether wind-farms are necessary and secondly whether this is a good location.

It is Government policy to promote wind energy, in my view too exclusively with the result that other forms of renewable energy such as biomass, solar, wave etc are not getting the encouragement they deserve. Alternative and renewable energy sources are essential if we are to reduce carbon emissions and meet our Kyoto commitments but we have to look at the whole picture. For example we currently produce over 12% of our electricity from nuclear power which does not emit carbon. Because of the rundown of nuclear power that figure will fall to 4% by 2020. So the massive increase in wind power is not reducing emissions, simply swapping one form for another. We also have to look at the lifecycle of wind turbines. How much carbon is emitted during the construction and erection including making all the concrete? This has to compare with the actual amount of electricity generated after allowing for breakdowns and periods of too much and too little wind. My point here is that it is a bit simplistic to jump at windfarms because wind is free.

The second issue is whether this is a good site. It may be from the narrow perspective of wind but we have to live here. We need to know exactly what the sightlines are from every aspect; how much noise they generate; do they have an affect on TV reception; what is the impact on property prices? Then of course the issue of aircraft safety from Cambridge airport and the proximity to Fleam Dyke. Many of these issues are best answered by visiting places where windfarms are already in operation, the nearest are in Swaffham and North Cambridgeshire. The wider issue however is why Cambridgeshire? Most existing windfarms are either on the coast or in mountainous areas. In both cases they are further away from peoples homes so perhaps the most critical question that must be answered by the proposers is why not build it somewhere less populated?

There is therefore a great deal to find out and I will work with local people to find the answers then arrange a meeting when all will be welcome.

Thank you



Jim Paice