Stormy reception for school's wind turbine dream (From Echo)
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Stormy reception for school's wind turbine dream
8:00am Wednesday 17th June 2009 in
A HEADTEACHER has moved to allay residents’ fears over plans for a 49ft wind turbine in the playground of her school in Westcliff.
Westborough Primary School wants to harness wind power to cut its electricity bill, but neighbours have voiced fears over noise.
Head Jenny Davies said the school had held a consultation over the plan, and only one person turned up to voice their fears. She said the turbine would probably make less noise than traffic.
However, neighbour Bob Evans, 57, a property developer, said: “I live in Gainsborough Drive, close to the school which has applied to put up this 15m high wind turbine in the playground.
“I and more than 80 of my neighbours are completely opposed to this project.”
Mr Evans thinks the blades of the turbine will be too noisy in high winds. He also fears if one is allowed it will set a precedent for more in the future.
He points to previous cases where turbines have been dismantled because of noise and danger.
However, Mrs Davies said: “We did publicise an open day to serve as a public consultation so any of the school’s neighbours could see what we have got in mind.
“Only one person, a member of staff from Gainsborough Drive, turned up, and as far as we know only one person is against it.
“We’re disappointed by this reaction, because people constantly say they want green technology, but seemingly not on their doorstep.
“It will probably make less noise than the traffic.”
Comments(41)
Winston Smith
says...
9:15am Wed 17 Jun 09
Would this headteacher have proposed a sixty foot crucifix, or minaret on the school grounds? Or a sixty foot hoarding supporting the Labour/Conservative/
whoever parties? No of course not. The same should go for this symbol of the ecofascism which currently blights our lives.
Don South
says...
9:19am Wed 17 Jun 09
Every time utility bills go up - schools have to divert cash away from teaching to paying higher and higher utility bills.
Well done. How about solar panels next or a combined heating and power plant?
DannyK86
says...
9:25am Wed 17 Jun 09
Ian Gilbert
says...
9:51am Wed 17 Jun 09
Teaching children to look after the environment is also very important. People don’t complain when children are taught that it’s wrong to drop litter, so why complain when children are taught that it’s wrong to pump pollutants into the atmosphere?
Ian from Southend
says...
10:41am Wed 17 Jun 09
Great idea. There are similar 49foot turbines in a Thurrock Businees Park. They are not noisy at all.
Green issue aside all these small impacts help to reduce our dependency on the morally corrupt oil industry and governments.
wotsit
says...
11:45am Wed 17 Jun 09
Winston Smith
says...
12:21pm Wed 17 Jun 09
The main instigator of the global warming lie is one Mr Mann. His research has since been proven incorrect. Sadly government and the greens have realised the global warming lie is a big tax winner for government, and an easy route to power for the ecofascists.
And worst of all they use their lie to indoctrinate your children.
Don't believe its a lie? Then read this:
http://online.wsj.co
m/article/SB11528382
4428306460-search.ht
ml?KEYWORDS=hockey%2
0stick%20hokum&COLLE
CTION=wsjie/6month
As for CO2, this is now not seen as the reason for any climate change:
http://www.nipccrepo
rt.org/
But as I said, government and the ecofascists won't tell you this because they have too much to lose.
You are being lied to by these people.
Mark D
says...
12:59pm Wed 17 Jun 09
NickS
says...
1:04pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Will you see or hear it from where you live?
I will and I do NOT support this proposal.
Don South
says...
1:22pm Wed 17 Jun 09
NickS wrote:This is the future.
All those in support of this proposal, do you live near the school? Will you see or hear it from where you live? I will and I do NOT support this proposal.
However we look at things we will run out of oil and coal to burn.
I don't want toxic nucler power plants where the waste remains lethal for 10,000 years.
Bring on more wind turbines and solar panels.
We live next to the Thames - there must be ways to harvest the power of the tides as they flow in and out as well.
Winston Smith
says...
1:47pm Wed 17 Jun 09
The new generation of Pebble Bed nuclear reactors currently being developed in France and Germany are an order of magnitude safer than current designs. Pebble bed reactors have a much smaller cooling system, they cannot melt down, it is inherent in their design that if the cooling system fails the reactor doesn't heat up. Plus they can be cooled with inert gases, which means if the unlikely did happen, and there was a coolant leak, there would be no leak or spread of radiation.
Nuclear is the only sensible way forward. Unless you are happy seeing thousands of square miles of unspoiled countryside concreted over for wind farms. Don't forget wind farms need service roads etc. Our environment will be destroyed by these monstrosities if they are permitted to proliferate.
It is much more sensible to have a few nuclear power plants dotted around the coast, than thousands of square miles of land ruined.
Sadly the soap dodgers and bean munchers would prefer we all went back to living in caves grubbing for nuts and berries than use the technological resources at our disposal.
wotsit
says...
2:09pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Winston Smith
says...
2:17pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Ignore the science,
attack the man,
repeat the mantra.
They cannot use rational argument to debate the issue, they choose rather to slander and vilify those who disagree with their lies.
This has been amply shown in the responses from 'wotsit'.
DannyK86
says...
2:25pm Wed 17 Jun 09
They'll never provide all the power, but they're useful supplements. Think how much less of a strain there would be on the National Grid if every hosue had a little windmill or solar panel to contribute towards heating and lighting. Even a 10% reduction in usage would be enormous nationwide.
Winston seems to be repeating mantras of his own. Sorry sunshine, but the fossil fuels won't last forever, and heating bills are going up and up year on year. It's only going to get worse
wotsit
says...
2:32pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Don South
says...
2:44pm Wed 17 Jun 09
wotsit wrote:Does Winston wear a tin foil hat?
its a windmill giving free juice - you need to get out more win, check out some day care centres in your area. (Do you live near a mobile phone mast?)
http://zapatopi.net/
afdb/
Winston Smith
says...
3:22pm Wed 17 Jun 09
DannyK86 wrote:Please show where I advocated fossil fuels. I advocate the new generation of Pebble bed nuclear reactors.
Nuclear is only PART of the solution, just as renewable sources are also part of the solution (clean coal technology is another part of the solution).
They'll never provide all the power, but they're useful supplements. Think how much less of a strain there would be on the National Grid if every hosue had a little windmill or solar panel to contribute towards heating and lighting. Even a 10% reduction in usage would be enormous nationwide.
Winston seems to be repeating mantras of his own. Sorry sunshine, but the fossil fuels won't last forever, and heating bills are going up and up year on year. It's only going to get worse
Winston Smith
says...
3:26pm Wed 17 Jun 09
wotsit wrote:Free? Windfarms have been subsidised by the taxpayer to the tune of billions of pounds. They are very far from 'free'.
its a windmill giving free juice - you need to get out more win, check out some day care centres in your area. (Do you live near a mobile phone mast?)
Please, feel 'free' to add something cogent to the debate. So far all you have done is prove me right on the way ecofascists operate by avoiding addressing the issue and going for insults instead.
Soozie
says...
3:47pm Wed 17 Jun 09
wotsit wrote:This is England mate, nothing free in this country, except smiles and even those are given with great effort.
its a windmill giving free juice - you need to get out more win, check out some day care centres in your area. (Do you live near a mobile phone mast?)
Ian from Southend
says...
4:23pm Wed 17 Jun 09
What ever the views are on the environmental issue here, to reduce our dependency on oil/gas (Middle East - Gazprom etc) can only be good.
Energy countries/companies (generally, but there are exceptions, eg-Venezuela) operate as cartels, are corrupt, self serving, support genocide (Nigerian delta, Karen people etc) and fund Chelsea football club.
When it does not blow we will need another source of generation for sure, but when it does blow lets harness it !
we would be mad not to.
evilc
says...
4:23pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Or Runwell Hospital site.
wotsit
says...
4:28pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Wind power generation is still in its infancy, costs will come down and productivity will rise, but without stuff to upgrade: it would never get off the ground. Its not ideal, but its the best way forward, but this wont stop winston being a plumb
Ian from Southend
says...
4:40pm Wed 17 Jun 09
evilc wrote:yes contaminated with dog sh!te but thats another story.
Why not build a nuclear power station on East Beach it already looks like the sand is contaminated anyway? Or Runwell Hospital site.
responsible1
says...
5:45pm Wed 17 Jun 09
Winston Smith
says...
7:38pm Wed 17 Jun 09
evilc wrote:If it was a Pebble Bed reactor then I would welcome it gladly.
Why not build a nuclear power station on East Beach it already looks like the sand is contaminated anyway?
Or Runwell Hospital site.
Soozie
says...
8:29pm Wed 17 Jun 09
He also backs up 90% of what he says with fact which is more than most of the twaddle people post on here.
People may not agree with him, but he knows what he is talking about.
And before anyone accuses me of anything, I'm only stating fact and those who have read Winstons posts, for the most part I'm sure agree.
wotsit
says...
9:37pm Wed 17 Jun 09
southendreb
says...
6:05am Thu 18 Jun 09
Winston Smith
says...
6:56am Thu 18 Jun 09
wotsit wrote:Indoctrination is exactly what it is.
I'm sorry soozie, but he calls himself 'Winston Smith, Airstrip One. Oceania. says... ' which you have to admit is pretty plumby, plus and I quote - 'Green indoctrination of our children.' I rest my case.
Here is the definition of indoctrination: 'Indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology. It is often distinguished from education by the fact that the indoctrinated person is expected not to question or critically examine the doctrine they have learned.'
Our children are being indoctrinated with falsehoods regarding green ideology, and they are not expected or asked, to question it
. It is now agreed that CO2 is not the driver of climate change. Michael Mann's research and data has been proven incorrect. He has been proved a fraud who deliberately misrepresented his findings. In case you don't know, Michael Mann is the person who convinced Al Gore to speak about climate change. The 'man-made' whole climate change theory is based on a lie, and has now been proven to be a lie. Yet our children are force fed that CO2 is the big bad bogeyman, that they will be bad people if they use cars, or switch on a light bulb, and the fact that Mann's research has been thoroughly discredited is not taught.
Our children are taught that incandescent light-bulbs are 'bad', and they are told to use CFL bulbs instead. Even though CFL bulbs contain mercury and are more of a hazard to the environment. If you break a CFL bulb, DEFRA recommend evacuating the room for 15 minutes, then, with face covered to avoid inhaling the dust, sweep up the debris into a plastic bag and take it to the local authority for safe disposal. But CFLs are to be forced on the public, why" Not because they are 'green', but because they are more expensive, and bring in more tax for the government that plans to outlaw incandescent bulbs. I'll stick to the safe, recyclable, and cheaper, incandescent bulbs thanks.
The greens also advocated switching from diesel to biofuels because they are 'green' and don't harm the environment. So now we have vast swathes of rainforest being clear-cut for biofuel crops. We have people around the world starving because food suppliers have switched from growing food crops to the more profitable biofuel crops.
We are forced to separate out our recyclables because it is 'green'. But what has happened? Local authorities have been snowed under with mountains of paper, plastics, glass and metal. They cannot deal with it. so what are they doing? They send it to the third world to be put in landfill! So thanks to the ecofascists, poor people in the third world now have to live in our cr@p.
That is what the green propaganda has done.
neilap
says...
9:34am Thu 18 Jun 09
Soozie
says...
9:52am Thu 18 Jun 09
wotsit wrote:Is that plummy you mean?
I'm sorry soozie, but he calls himself 'Winston Smith, Airstrip One. Oceania. says... ' which you have to admit is pretty plumby, plus and I quote - 'Green indoctrination of our children.' I rest my case.
a. Filled with plums.
b. Smelling or tasting of plums
LOL
Or is this a posh thing...? Help me out here
NickS
says...
1:13pm Thu 18 Jun 09
neilap wrote:Because we were NOT told of the meeting.
80 resisdents are opposed yet only one turns up at a meeting ? Im all for going green but wouldn't a 49ft 'fan' be a bit of an eyesore ?
Nobody in Gainsborough Drive recived a letter not even those of us that will have this thing feet from our gardens, it seems as if the school did not want people to know what they are planning, its not just one turbine they want but two according to the plans here.
http://idox.southend
.gov.uk/WAM/doc/2667
9-Page-1.pdf?extensi
on=.pdf&page=1&id=26
679&contentType=appl
ication/pdf&location
=Volume1
Like I said we were NOT told by the school about this plan, and again those in support how close to the school do you live? how would you like me to build on at the bottom of your garden
this article lists all the reported accidents with this type of turbine
http://www.caithness
windfarms.co.uk/full
accidents.pdf
this is why they should not be in built up places such as in the heart of Westcliff.
I do not mind this type of power normally but site them in the open countryside or at sea not in one of the most densely populated parts of the town
ST 1
says...
4:16pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Interestingly, Spain (one of Europes leading wind turbine users) has had to cut back on it's electricity generation due to the recession. However, it turns out that it is the wind farms that they idle when demand is low, as they are easier to turn off and on than traditional power stations.
NickS
says...
11:04pm Thu 18 Jun 09
Can I refer Mrs Davis to the comment she made in the article above where she states “only one person turned up to voice their fears” that one person was a teacher!
Also as I said previously nobody in Gainsborough Drive received any letters inviting them to the school for the planning consultation, who exactly were given or sent the invites? Teachers, Parents or only those she knew would not oppose the plan.
Mrs Davis is also launching a proforma petition to be signed by the very people who this plan will not effect those that are NOT in shadow of the wind turbine.
Where does Mrs Davis live? Is it close enough to the school to see and hear the turbine bet not.
elenna
says...
10:30am Fri 19 Jun 09
Well actually it is. I rarely respond to newspaper letters but I just can't let this one get by. Westborough is described by Ofsted as "outstanding in all areas" and has been congratulated by Southend Education Office. It is the inspiration of headteacher Jenny Davies and her brilliant senior management team and staff who have given the children in one of the poorer parts of Southend the best gift possible. Tollerance, delight in the differences of culture around them, hope and aspirations for the future and an excellent education suited to their individual diverse needs.
In fact the consultation regarding the use of green energy and refurbishing the building was very well attended, Mrs Davies was misquoted. Unfortunately only one resident from Gainsborough Drive attended. People living in the catchment area had plenty of opportunity to speak to the architects and see all the available plans. The architects took note of some concerns expressed and have already made alterations to the initial plans in order to accommodate them. What a pity that the person who has initiated this thread was not able to attend. His/her fears would have been put to rest.
Good luck to Westborough - leading the way as usual.
Elenna.
DannyK86
says...
12:03pm Fri 19 Jun 09
The airport has 'Kiti' Theobald, and the turbine has Mrs Davis!
NickS
says...
12:37pm Fri 19 Jun 09
elenna wrote:Rubbish the people in Gainsborough Drive were NOT told of the consultation the first we knew of anyting was when a neighbour knocked to tell us what was being planned.
"hardly the best primary school in the area" Well actually it is. I rarely respond to newspaper letters but I just can't let this one get by. Westborough is described by Ofsted as "outstanding in all areas" and has been congratulated by Southend Education Office. It is the inspiration of headteacher Jenny Davies and her brilliant senior management team and staff who have given the children in one of the poorer parts of Southend the best gift possible. Tollerance, delight in the differences of culture around them, hope and aspirations for the future and an excellent education suited to their individual diverse needs. In fact the consultation regarding the use of green energy and refurbishing the building was very well attended, Mrs Davies was misquoted. Unfortunately only one resident from Gainsborough Drive attended. People living in the catchment area had plenty of opportunity to speak to the architects and see all the available plans. The architects took note of some concerns expressed and have already made alterations to the initial plans in order to accommodate them. What a pity that the person who has initiated this thread was not able to attend. His/her fears would have been put to rest. Good luck to Westborough - leading the way as usual. Elenna.
This plan will not effect you in Leigh I will have this thing feet from my bedroom window
Eill the school pay for sound proofing to my house?
Will it pay for any damage that could be caused should there be a structural failure of the turbine?
We did not even get a notice from the council about it and still have not, this thing will be visible 24 hours a day from my window with the noise 24 hours a day.
How would you like me to build one at the bottom of your garden just for my use...
elenna
says...
2:46pm Fri 19 Jun 09
DannyK86 wrote:Check you fact's DannyK, Mrs D. is not the boring old F...!
Wherever something interesting, innovative or economically beneficial is proposed, there will ALWAYS be a boring old **** ready to moan about it. The airport has 'Kiti' Theobald, and the turbine has Mrs Davis!
alfresco
says...
8:59am Tue 23 Jun 09
NickS wrote:Nick S, maybe you should spend more time looking at the facts. A wind turbine actually generates very little noise and if you spent more time researching and less time ranting irrelevant rubbish, looked at factual information as opposed to making things up, you may begin to understand... You need to get out of the rut and move with the times, heaven help you in the future!!! Go Westborough...
elenna wrote: "hardly the best primary school in the area" Well actually it is. I rarely respond to newspaper letters but I just can't let this one get by. Westborough is described by Ofsted as "outstanding in all areas" and has been congratulated by Southend Education Office. It is the inspiration of headteacher Jenny Davies and her brilliant senior management team and staff who have given the children in one of the poorer parts of Southend the best gift possible. Tollerance, delight in the differences of culture around them, hope and aspirations for the future and an excellent education suited to their individual diverse needs. In fact the consultation regarding the use of green energy and refurbishing the building was very well attended, Mrs Davies was misquoted. Unfortunately only one resident from Gainsborough Drive attended. People living in the catchment area had plenty of opportunity to speak to the architects and see all the available plans. The architects took note of some concerns expressed and have already made alterations to the initial plans in order to accommodate them. What a pity that the person who has initiated this thread was not able to attend. His/her fears would have been put to rest. Good luck to Westborough - leading the way as usual. Elenna.Rubbish the people in Gainsborough Drive were NOT told of the consultation the first we knew of anyting was when a neighbour knocked to tell us what was being planned. This plan will not effect you in Leigh I will have this thing feet from my bedroom window Eill the school pay for sound proofing to my house? Will it pay for any damage that could be caused should there be a structural failure of the turbine? We did not even get a notice from the council about it and still have not, this thing will be visible 24 hours a day from my window with the noise 24 hours a day. How would you like me to build one at the bottom of your garden just for my use...
Dave_smith79
says...
11:53am Tue 23 Jun 09
I am with Winston on the ecofascists. At school I was told we would run out of oil by 2000. Then the world was going to turn into a desert. Now it appears they have changed to climate change, just incase of a ice age. Climate change happens every day, has done and always will.
These same people moan about GM crops, and then ask us to help feed the starving in Africa. GM crops have been around for a long time and no one has died from eating them or smelling a flower.
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Ivanna Goodhump says...
8:53am Wed 17 Jun 09
Westborough is hardly the best primary in the area yet she fannies about with proposals like this.