“I grew up in Newport, where we in the western part of the East Riding have a not-so-lovely view of Drax (and on a clear day, the rest of the Megawatt Valley power stations).

We have a choice: to continue burning coal and throwing endless amounts of cash in supporting nuclear, or seize every available opportunity to provide clean energy.

Wind farms are not ideal - they do have an impact on the landscape, some people love them and a smaller number loathe them. However, wind power is well-established, efficient, clean and there are some excellent sites onshore and offshore in the E Yorks area.

I am appalled that the Tory E Yorks council are rejecting so many schemes and trying to score political points by pandering to local NIMBYs.

As this is a matter of national and global importance, of course they should be overruled - how dare they assume they have the right to prevent others stopping them making potentially catastrophic decisions that could affect people all over the world. The UK has the biggest wind-power potential in the EU, yet we are way behind Germany and Spain in making use of it. Wind farms create jobs and are one of the cheapest and most mature forms of clean energy. Yes the East Riding has some sites, but really should be proud that it is able to do more and should be making the most of the chance to create good, well-paid local, clean and green jobs.

I love coming home to see my family in Newport (who also support wind farms) and would be proud to say "my home county is leading the way on green energy", instead of being ashamed of the tired old 'do nothing', 'change nothing' approach that the loathsome E Yorks Tories have taken for years. It's time for a change - the Tories say they are now the party of the environment, but when it comes to making tough choices, they haven't changed a bit - they can't stop themselves from obsessing about protecting the status-quo no matter how disastrous the consequences. Instead of trying to block developments they know will be approved on appeal, why don't they work in partnership with the renewable energy companies to influence planning to suit local needs?

Things will change - either for the better if we accept wind farms, energy conservation, etc or for the worse if we do nothing. My challenge to the objectors is this: if we don't have more wind farms, what alternative do you propose that is acceptable to the majority of people?

Most sane individuals understand that we need a good 'energy-mix' that includes a wide range of onshore/offshore wind sites, hydro, biomass, tidal, wave, solar and geothermal installations and rely as little as possible on fossil fuels and nuclear.

Yes change is unsettling and wind farms aren't perfect, but sometimes people need to be brave, face facts, accept their responsibilities and do what is right.

The objectors usually give the same old tripe about how they are merely questioning a particular project or list all the negative aspects of wind farms without noting the negative aspects of the alternatives. The reality is they are merely being selfish and close-minded.

No to the NIMBYs and Yes to wind farms in the East Riding!”

“I see a lot of comments (ill informed and sometimes unnecessarily rude) from people who support wind turbines, but it appears most of them do not (or will not) live near them. If you live in a small village (as I do) without most of the amenities that those in towns have, then it is because you want to live in the countryside and not on some industrial estate (these aren't wind farms they are industrial sites). Yes we all know what nimby stands for, but why should we want to ruin our beautiful landscape? It is bad enough paying the same council tax but getting far less benefits than town dwellers, but to lose the whole point of living in the countryside in the first place is appalling.
When EON decided to put in several applications for wind turbines a couple of years ago,
I was told (off the record!) by Alex Fornal, Project Manager for EON, that his company wouldn't build turbines without the large grants the Government are offering. So it appears that without government help, onshore wind turbines are not financially viable. Surely that speaks volumes? The Times recently printed an article stating that Ed Milliband's live-in partner (a lawyer) was the 'preferred Counsel' for a company seeking a 20 billion nuclear power deal from his department, it also appears she has close links with EON - who want to build many turbines that will affect Mr Milliband's constituents in South Yorkshire. In a recent village wide ballot concerning one of EON's planning applications, a huge proportion of our village voted against the proposed turbines - which would have been over 125m high (much taller than power station cooling towers). Turbines can only produce power when the wind blows (and often in this area it is quite calm) so we still have to rely on power stations. Other countries who have already tried wind turbines are now phasing them out because they are not efficient and are very costly to build.
I know all this sounds as though I am against green energy, actually I am not. But I am against expensive, inefficient, money wasting projects such as these -especially as it appears the only people benefitting are the energy companies who are on the receiving end of some very large subsidies from the Government using our money.”

“Hurrah! It's about time central government got a grip and backhand slapped these ridiculous protests from the obligatory carrot crunching brigade. It may well be that these machines are not very efficient but the reality is that we have to start somewhere. Once we get these up and running they well become more acceptable as the process of familiarity takes hold of future generations. In 10 or 20 years the offspring of Mr and Mrs too much time and my hands so I'll protest for the sake of it, will come to enjoy the sight of these magnificent entities.”

“As I've said before, Yes, I do live in Kirk Ella and so will not be visually affected by these structures. However, the real point at issue is the reason for their erection. It is obviously purely financial on the part of the company involved. These machines are not overly efficient; in fact, I would like to know how much net power they produce because 'Which' has shown that, over a period of time, the turbines which individuals may erect actually use more power than they produce because of the converter necessary for ensuring the power is of the correct type. As for appearance, one must ask why the Finnish design isn't adopted - it works at all wind speeds, is a far slimmer structure and so less intrusive on the landscape. Again, one has heard nothing of the safety of these common structures if they are left running in a high wind. Anyone who has seen how they collapse would be concerned. Finally, as far as energy resources for the world are concerned, the only answer lies with nuclear power and that is, quite simply, fact! The only problem with this is the disposal of the waste and so, it seems sensible to pursue the search for a safe method of achieving this - possibly the more sensible thing for the government to do would be to carry out the necessary tests on the method presently being suggested!
Wind farms are no answer to anything except, possibly, to the holes in the bank balances of some firms.”

“So how are the mighty, fallen?
How does it feel like not to be able to do what you want?
Go on, tell the government that they cannot do this. after all you seem to spend your life telling us that we cant have this or that.
Serves you right. maybe you will get some support from all the thousands of dissatisfied voters that you have misinformed, mislead, and disapointed over the period of your leadership. i doubt it.
i would tolerate all the wind farms if only you and your leader of planning could go away.

You want the govt to help you, we wanted help with our plans but have had to fight and argue all the way. - welcome to reality.”

“Don't forget the ERYC is also powerless in preventing national coffee chains from opening up for business in Beverley. It is not just "key" planning applications they are powerless to stop, but also minor planning applications. If these application decisions are taken away from the planning department of the ERYC then what is the purpose of the ERYC planning department?”

“Jonathon, I honestly like them! Not being facetious but I really do think they are pretty cool to look at. I lived in Haworth for a number of years where they have had them for a long time and I find them preferable to a power station. Wish I could afford solar panels then I'd be really happy!”

“cllr parnaby what a hypocrit ! quote " the goverment makes great play over encouraging local people to have a voice _we are been stuffed!" Thats how us as ratepayers think when councils decide to introduce car parking charges against the wishes of the majority voters.”

“I am all for trying to produce safe sources of energy, but has anyone really considered the implications of these windfarms springing up all over with no one being able to stop them or object. If you haven't visited East Hull and the Clough Road area, take a look at ours, it is certainly not the sort of thing you want to see all over the city regardless of how eco friendly they are, and by the way it is visible from most of East Hull. It is situated in a mostly industrial area, but how would you fancy this in Hessle, Beverley, Willerby or Swanland, you wouldn't be so keen then.”

“It's not a question of "small-minded nimbys". It's a question of desecrating a beautiful countryside with ugly metal monstrosities.

Clearly those of you that refer to people who object on the grounds of aesthetics are either people who live nowhere near the countryside and do not care, or people who have no pride in their surroundings and environment.

It will certainly bring down the value of rural residences, because people want views of open countryside, lambs playing in the spring fields, trees, hills and open skylines... not ugly white metal obscenities that, in ten years time, will be unpainted and covered in rust, broken and not turning, and even more of a blot on the landscape....

... all that said, and they're not even that worthwhile!”