Lord Bracknell
On fire
There's an interesting story in today's Argus about the end of the Public Inquiry into the proposed wind turbine at Glyndebourne.
The turbine is being opposed by all the usual suspects - the CPRE, the South Downs Society and all the local NIMBYs.
However ... Councillor Peter Gardiner, who lives locally (at Ringmer) and is the new Lib Dem Lead Councillor for Planning on Lewes District Council has this to say:-
"I am certain that one turbine, rather than a major wind farm, is appropriate here".
How interesting is that? If he had followed the previous pattern of LDC Lib Dem interventions on planning issues affecting the AONB, he'd be saying exactly the opposite. Instead, he's backing the turbine and abandoning knee-jerk NIMBYism. AND he's a local resident with votes to worry about. He could have said, had he wished, simply that he was "looking forward to reading the Inspector's report".
Very encouraging, in my opinion, particularly as we move towards tidying up the loose ends in the Stadium planning process.
I know Peter Gardiner, of course. He was my opponent in the two election campaigns I fought. I guess it's safe to say now that I found him to be rather more thoughtful and sensible than some of his Lib Dem party colleagues elsewhere in the district.
The turbine is being opposed by all the usual suspects - the CPRE, the South Downs Society and all the local NIMBYs.
However ... Councillor Peter Gardiner, who lives locally (at Ringmer) and is the new Lib Dem Lead Councillor for Planning on Lewes District Council has this to say:-
"I am certain that one turbine, rather than a major wind farm, is appropriate here".
How interesting is that? If he had followed the previous pattern of LDC Lib Dem interventions on planning issues affecting the AONB, he'd be saying exactly the opposite. Instead, he's backing the turbine and abandoning knee-jerk NIMBYism. AND he's a local resident with votes to worry about. He could have said, had he wished, simply that he was "looking forward to reading the Inspector's report".
Very encouraging, in my opinion, particularly as we move towards tidying up the loose ends in the Stadium planning process.
I know Peter Gardiner, of course. He was my opponent in the two election campaigns I fought. I guess it's safe to say now that I found him to be rather more thoughtful and sensible than some of his Lib Dem party colleagues elsewhere in the district.
