Wind farmers using our cash to rape our landscape

MY husband and I have been looking to move into Cambridgeshire for some time now.

After much searching we have recently reserved a new five-bedroom property on the north end of Loves Farm, St Neots.

We are keen to move to the area and become active members of the community. I am going to start a new business. I would be planning to set up locally and, as the company progressed, I would employ local people.

To our dismay, we recently discovered the proposed wind farm development at Cotton Farm, Graveley, among numerous others in the vicinity. These intrusively large turbines dominate skylines and would be completely out of character with the surrounding rural areas.

Our situation is quite simple: if the developers of Cotton Farm win the appeal, we will not proceed with the purchase of the property and will move elsewhere.

We are not moving to a more rural setting to hear or look at the constant movement of turbine blades. If we sought constant bombardment of the senses, we would stay in London.

In addition, why would we want to take an immediate 20-30 per cent reduction in the value of the property before it is even built? People already residing in these areas, I am certain, are already unable to sell their homes. I have no doubt others will choose not to relocate to the areas affected by the development of these wind farms.

District councils should bear this in mind as they try to attract new people, investment and businesses to their areas. These wind farms are beneficial for one group of people only – the developers. The detrimental economic effects to the communities they are erected within are immeasurable and far-reaching.

Cambridgeshire includes numerous quaint villages and lovely countryside, so why are developers targeting this area?

We, along with most, appreciate the need for renewable energy but, if these things really are the answer, surely it makes more sense to construct them offshore where they can actually benefit from sustainable levels of the very resource they are trying to harness.

Why are councils in the area receiving an exorbitant amount of planning applications for wind farms? Wind farms should not be forcibly thrust upon any community due to antiquated laws.

If the issue is money, we must ask why developers are using our money, given to them by our Government, to attack our very way of life. Surely, if the UK is a democracy, we have a say.

We should be able to consult with local and central governments to determine which forms of sustainable energy are best for our areas and our purses as we will be left to live with the ill-considered consequences of developers’ reckless pursuit of wealth.

SHAUNA COLLINS RUMBELOW

Chafford Hundred

Essex