Not in my back yard Options

[Penelope]

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2012/east-is...er-solar-panels

once again we hear a familiar tune from the good folks who live in the countryside, and its a familiar one. "Get off My Laaaand"

I love the bit were they say "we fully support green issues, but we can actually see them !"

I laughed.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

Laughably stupid.

We spoke to West Berkshire Council on January 27 about our proposals to install a 50 kilowatt PV (photovoltaic) solar array on our land at East Ilsley sewage work,” he said.

“The council confirmed three days later that this would fall under our permitted development rights.

“Once installed, the solar panels will generate renewable electricity from sunlight capable of meeting 3.3 times the site’s needs, saving £1,200 a year in non-renewable power from the national energy supply grid and 27 tonnes a year of carbon emissions.”

No problems now put your tweed hats back on and shut up. In fact if they are within their rights to put solar panels in place, fair enough for doing it. I'm not a green head neither do I care about Global Warming because it's a lie (well exaggerated for taxation purposes) but if it provides 3.3 times the needs of the plant, why is anyone complaining?

[Bloggo]

http://www.newburytoday.co.uk/2012/east-is...er-solar-panels

once again we hear a familiar tune from the good folks who live in the countryside, and its a familiar one. "Get off My Laaaand"

I love the bit were they say "we fully support green issues, but we can actually see them !"

I laughed.

I find it difficult to understand why Thames Water seem to think that they can by-pass the normal planning applications and approvals for this structure and why West Berks Council have approved it without the need to consult local opinion in the normal way.
Have the rules changed and if so maybe the Council should publish what the changes are.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

Why should EVERY decision be run through the local town? Because most of the time, as we've already proven, people out that way don't care about other people, they only care about themselves.

[Downlander]

we have informed them that they must remove the solar panels and submit a proper application form or we will consider taking legal action.

So they dismantle the solar panels, thereby missing the deadline for the Government money, and re-apply to WBC, who will grant permission again, then they put the panels back up. And up go our water bills again. Well done Mr Allsop.

From what I've heard only one person complained, and most people thought it was a good idea.

[Downlander]

most of the time, as we've already proven, people out that way don't care about other people, they only care about themselves.

Really? How many people do you know who live in East Ilsley? Have you spoken to any of them about this?

[Andy Capp]

Why should EVERY decision be run through the local town? Because most of the time, as we've already proven, people out that way don't care about other people, they only care about themselves.

Who doesn't?

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

I get what you're saying Andy, but if it's the land of a company and not directly affecting the lifes of the posh people who wear corduroy trousers, and if it's providing power to the facilities (and it seems it produces more power than it uses) - why are people complaining? Because they weren't asked?
Sorry if left up to the general population this country would be a mess. Sort of like my hair in the morning.

[Andy Capp]

If money never brought power or privilege, then there would be little point in having loads.

[Downlander]

In fact most villagers, far from complaining, see it as an improvement. The site in question is no beauty spot, one might even describe it as a s hithole.

[Penelope]

So why are so many people whining about it ?

[Strafin]

I think they are upset that due process wasn't followed. But with this council that seems to be a recurring theme.

[Downlander]

So why are so many people whining about it ?

How many people? I only know of one person who has complained.

[Guest_xjay1337_*]

"They" are.
Whomever they are.
No doubt potato farmers and some posh people. Not mutually exclusive. Those massey fergasuns ain't cheap.

[Simon Kirby]

I find it difficult to understand why Thames Water seem to think that they can by-pass the normal planning applications and approvals for this structure and why West Berks Council have approved it without the need to consult local opinion in the normal way.

As the article says, the installation of solar panels is within the site's permitted development rights and so planning permission is not required, in the same way that permitted development rights on domestic dwellings typically allow you to put a porch on your house or install velux loft windows or build a garden shed without the need for planning permission. Thames Water did nothing wrong in planning terms, though as a courtesy I think they might have told the neighbours what they would be doing.

A spokesman for the water company, Simon Evans, said added that the firm had not broken any rules.

“We spoke to West Berkshire Council on January 27 about our proposals to install a 50 kilowatt PV (photovoltaic) solar array on our land at East Ilsley sewage work,” he said.

“The council confirmed three days later that this would fall under our permitted development rights.

[Andy Capp]

Thames Water did nothing wrong in planning terms, though as a courtesy I think they might have told the neighbours what they would be doing.

Not a good idea.

It's a bit like giving your missus advanced warning that you intend to go on a golfing weekend with the lads, or are going to a gentlemen's club for a stag do; why suffer twice, drop it on her the morning you leave!

[Simon Kirby]

Not a good idea.

It's a bit like giving your missus advanced warning that you intend to go on a golfing weekend with the lads, or are going to a gentlemen's club for a stag do; why suffer twice, drop it on her the morning you leave!

Seriously though, it's only good manners.

[Simon Kirby]

If you want to see the regulations I believe it's all in The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

[Adrian Hollister]

It would have been good to inform the villagers of the plans - Thames Water don't seem to be the best at local PR, but this will help the local sustainability and imho shows the rest of West Berks how things could be done - an industrial plant that generates more power than it consumes. I suspect it will go the way of the wind turbine between East Ilsley and Compton - a few nimby complaints in the planning process, but now it's positive part of our landscape. Shame more companies are not investing this way - even bigger shame that the current government are scrapping the incentives.

[Penelope]

I would have thought the biggest incentive is the Desire to help save the planet rather than line their pockets.