Wind campaigners hit back at Deputy PM John Prescott

Oct 21 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

ANTI-WIND farm campaigners from the North East have hit back after former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott accused them of being Nimbys.

In a speech to the British Wind Energy Association’s annual conference at Liverpool yesterday, Mr Prescott blamed countryside residents anxious to protect their “chocolate box” views for 75% of onshore wind farm applications being refused by councils.

Mr Prescott said the record low 25% approval figure is unacceptable and called for councils to accept their obligations to tackle climate change and recognise that wind farms are part of Government policy.

The MP also demanded local authorities identify sites suitable for wind farms and that they stop delaying decisions in the expectancy that the government will overturn their rulings.

But last night, Mr Prescott’s comments were met with anger from anti-wind campaigners in the region.

Andrew Joicey, who farms at Cornhill and who is a member of the Save our Unspoilt Landscape group opposing a turbine scheme at Barmoor near Berwick, said he was speechless.

He said wind power is not the answer to tackling global warming given that there are doubts over its efficiency.