AS a resident of Whitehall ward in Darwen, I feel I must place on record my opposition to my councillors - David and Karimeh Foster.

A wind farm is being proposed for Darwen Moors and the councillors are telling us we "MUST OPPOSE IT". I did not think election to Blackburn with Darwen Council gave them the right to dictate my opinions.

I have had enough of NIMBY attitudes and think it is about time people considered the wider global implications of generating electricity and the cost to our children in the future. PowerGen has an obligation to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Therefore natural resources must be explored. Where else would an electricity provider find such strong winds than on our vast moors?

So Councillors Foster think a wind farm would be an eyesore do they? I disagree. Test masts have been in place on White Hill for the past two years. Has anybody complained about them? The Council received only two objections when these masts were approved.

It is interesting that preliminary plans are also being prepared to build a gas-powered power station within the borough. This time the power station is to provide electricity for one firm - Sappi Europe - a major employer. As talks have already taken place with Scottish Power to give them the contract to build the new station, I am sure the firm is confident of gaining planning permission.

The firm's directors only have to threaten to move out of the borough and the Council will be jumping out of its skin to approve the plans.

What kind of message are we giving the rest of the country and our children if we are not prepared to sacrifice one small section of our vast moors for the greater good of future generations, but we are prepared to be blackmailed by industrial giants who might pollute our atmosphere

I only hope the Labour members of the Council do take notice of the big picture and approve PowerGen's wind farm application. After all, the Council did approve the installation of test masts on White Hill when "Green Politics" were more popular with newspapers and voters.

Name and address supplied.

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