MPs hit out over wind-farm ‘bullying’ (From York Press)

MPs hit out over wind-farm ‘bullying’

9:17am Saturday 16th March 2013 in News

YORKSHIRE communities are being “bullied” by wind-farm developers who want to “desecrate” the region’s landscapes, MPs have claimed.

North Yorkshire MPs were among a group of Conservative backbenchers who criticised wind-turbine schemes in the House of Commons as a decision on two applications for masts near Harrogate looms. A number of planning applications for turbines have also been submitted in East Yorkshire, amid claims they will threaten the beauty of the Wolds. Andrew Jones, who represents Harrogate and Knaresborough, called for an immediate moratorium on onshore wind-farms.

and said the Government should look for more effective forms of renewable energy. He told Energy Secretary Ed Davey: “I am a huge supporter of renewable energy, but I have major reservations about onshore wind, as I believe it is very expensive and unreliable.”

Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith said: “Communities across North Yorkshire are being bullied by wind companies and money is being wasted.”

Mr Davey said he could not intervene on individual applications, but rejected Mr Jones’ claim that the UK had enough onshore wind farms. He said: “Onshore wind is one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, of the large-scale renewable technologies, and it has huge benefits.”