Token windmills (From Oxford Mail)

Token windmills

4:30pm Thursday 7th June 2007

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The proposal from Midcounties Co-operative to erect a wind turbine at Botley, Oxford, has attracted much attention and is likely to clutter the famous Oxford skyline of dreaming spires (Oxford Mail, May 17).

But before this application is considered, the Co-op should answer some essential questions.

How energy efficient are the offices that this turbine, if built, will power?

How energy efficient are the Co-op stores? And would it be better to spend the money on an energy audit of the houses of Co-op employees and installation of energy efficiency measures in those homes?

There is a rush to make public statements about being climate friendly.

But the best way to be climate friendly, as well as landscape friendly, is to cut down on our use of energy, not erect token windmills against Oxford's famous skyline.

ANDY BODDINGTON, Campaign Manager, Oxfordshire branch, Campaign to Protect Rural England

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