Campaigners welcome minister's ‘enough’ wind farms comment (From York Press)

Campaigners welcome minister's ‘enough’ wind farms comment

8:01am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

Campaigners welcome minister's ‘enough’ wind farms comment

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the creation of more wind farms in our region have welcomed comments from a high-profile politician who said “enough is enough”.

John Hayes, a Conservative Energy Minister, questioned why wind farms had been allowed to spread throughout the countryside and called for an investigation into how effective turbines were.

Farmer Paul Stephens, who is battling plans to build a wind farm at East Heslerton, near Malton, said he hoped the truth over the wind turbine “scam” was finally being recognised.

Meanwhile East Yorkshire, MP Greg Knight welcomed the chance for the public to have their say in a major consultation on wind turbines.

Mr Stephens said: “I have a feeling that the further we go into wind turbines the more that’s revealed. The whole thing is a great big scam. They don’t produce the energy they are supposed to produce and they need a lot of back-up.”

He also criticised the amount of money which went into subsiding wind farms built by foreign companies.

Government figures show East Yorkshire has had the highest number of planning applications for large onshore wind developments in England over the last ten years, with 25 separate proposals being submitted since 2002.

Mr Knight said he welcomed the fact the Government was now consulting the public on the controversial wind farm issue.

He said: “If a local community is ready to embrace a wind farm and the financial benefits it brings then that’s fine.

“But if they don’t want a wind farm and if it goes to an appeal then I think the inspector should listen to local opinion.”

Mr Knight encouraged everyone to take part in the ongoing consultation by visiting decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/onwind_cfe/onwind_cfe.aspx