Royce Longton slams Wind-Turbine Decision

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 13th Dec 2007

West Berkshire Liberal Democrat Environment spokesman Dr Royce Longton has slammed the decision to turn down an application to locate a wind turbine next to the M4 at Baydon Meadow. The decision, made at a meeting of full council on 11th December, was taken along party lines - with the Lib Dems in favour but most Conservatives voting against.

At the meeting Dr Longton spoke, warning,

"I know there are still some climate change sceptics. It is tempting to liken them to ostriches with their heads buried in the sand. But that would be an insult to the intelligence of the ostrich… we must stabilise and reduce carbon emission as a matter of extreme urgency. And we can only do that by working as a team involving the whole international community: national Governments, local authorities and individual citizens."

Following the decision Dr Longton commented,

"The Tories' reasons for refusing the application centred around concern for the safety of aircraft using the nearby unlicensed airfield and the possibility of frightening racehorses training in the surrounding area. Both these concerns were dismissed as groundless by a Planning Inspector in his Appeal Decision concerning a former application.

"At a time of increasing concern over the probable impacts of global warming West Berkshire Council has been called Britain's 'most ecologically dismal authority', and with some justification. West Berkshire has among the highest household CO2 emissions in the country. According to the Energy Savings Trust it ranks 393rd highest out of 434 authorities and virtually no major renewable energy installations are in place here to offset these high emissions. Yet the vote-grovelling Tories still refuse a wind turbine by a motorway service area. It beggars belief!!!"