Wind Farms - Vox Pop

For this assignment, a vox pop on a current issue was conducted. Surnames and addresses have been edited out to protect privacy.

Half of proposed wind farms are rejected

Government report shows a decrease in approvals for onshore wind farms

A report to be published this week claims that the government rejected half the planning proposals for onshore wind farms. Both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties included expansion of offshore wind farms in their election manifestos, but nothing about the ones on land were mentioned. However, it would be expected that their committal to renewable energy expansion would mean onshore wind farms would be increased, not reduced.

Environmental campaigners want to encourage the use of wind energy, but objections have been raised over the visual pollution they are said to cause. Rural areas are hotspots for wind turbines, but many people consider them a visual eyesore and would prefer them to be far out to sea.

We asked members of the public what they thought of the fact that fifty percent of proposed wind farms on British soil will not be built. 

Student Vicky W, 18, from C---- Court, Nottingham, thinks they should be, but in areas where they won’t disturb anyone and where they will have enough of an effect to make it worthwhile, though she would prefer them to be out to sea.

Peter H, from Verwood, 50, who is a manager for Cross Country Trains, says cleaner forms of energy should be encouraged. Mary L, a retired nurse from Winton, echoes his ideas, saying that wind farms are good for the environment.

Nursery worker Amy L, 20, from Forest Gate, London, says the government should build more wind farms because we are running out of fossil fuels. Bristol stallholder John S, 51, agrees that cleaner forms of energy should be encouraged as it is good for the planet and the environment. John N, a retired mechanic, 64, from Eastleigh, says if it will help us, then it should be supported.

However, some people support the cuts. Sheila B, 50, a bank cashier from Southampton says that if she lived in the country, she would probably be against them, as they are a bit of an eyesore and noisy.

 Andy M, 19, of S--- W--- Road, Bishopstoke thinks the government need to look at other renewable energy sources instead, as it’s not always windy, so it’s not efficient. He believes tidal energy would be a better way forward.

 This idea is echoed by James H, an 18 year old student from Stockport, who believes wind farms are good but their energy supply isn't constant, given that they can only really work when it's really windy. In his opinion, harnessing wave power as a form of renewable energy should also be considered as an alternative.

Dave C, 36, a bar manager from Eastleigh doesn’t think they are very good, and that there are definitely better alternatives.

The final word goes to Tom P, an 18 year old student from The Ridings, Eastleigh, who says that the government just need to admit that climate change is happening.