MoneySaving Poll: Are wind farms an aye-aye or an eyesore?

Former_MSE_Darryl

Poll started 22 Apr 2014

The Prime Minister is blowing cold on on-shore wind farms, having once been full of hot air about pushing for renewable energy sources.

The Conservative Party says it won't subsidise any new wind farms if they win the next election. They argue the UK is on track to meet its wind power targets, but critics argue this policy is to appease those who think the tall white turbines blight our landscape. So we wanted to test your views.

Are wind farms an aye-aye or an eyesore?

Vote in this week's poll

Did you vote? Are you surprised at the results so far? Have your say below. To see the results from last time, click this

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cfw1994

I couldn't vote: there is an answer missing - "it depends".

A single turbine, or perhaps 2 or 3, IMHO, can look ridiculous. Perch it on top of a natural beauty spot and they would dominate yet not necessarily generate that much energy.
We have a huge one close to us and it just takes over!

A farm, to me, means *many* turbines, and in the right place can indeed become a feature of a particular landscape, whilst generating meaningful energy.

Offshore farms in particular should offend fewest people, perhaps even guard dangerous rocky coastlines, and typically generate more energy than land-based. I think they look amazing out to sea!

Just one view...

cepheus

Perhaps the locals should be offered a share of the profits or even community controlled as they often do in Germany.

For those who say no they should have to accept the possibility of a fracking site or a nuclear power station on their doorstep, or a contract with Mr Putin!

Tarry

We have nearby here, and you get used to it. Doesn't bother me that much. Although was huge controversy when they first mentioned them.

stevemcol

Fantastic looking things in my view but I do understand it's subjective. I do think if your house in on the grid, you should accept whatever generation methods are chosen. No body is ever going to want a fossil fuel power station on their doorstep so windturbines are perhaps a softer option.

danthemoneysavingman

why is there no option to think they're not unpleasant to look at but aren't necessary, as per the leader to the poll? Is it that no-one could possibly agree with the government position?


Whether they look nice or not is nothing to do with it!

mrBlue

It seems that many people don't know that the current minimum distance between a massive wind turbine and the nearest building is 600 metres. If the local council objects (because its residents do) or try to apply the latest thinking of 800 metres, they will almost certainly lose a court appeal and have to pay £100,000s, so the people of this country have no democratic right over their environment. And the only reason companies want to build them is to make a killing; they even get paid when the grid doesn't need the power! What a fiasco!

stevemcol

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

why is there no option to think they're not unpleasant to look at but aren't necessary, as per the leader to the poll? Is it that no-one could possibly agree with the government position?


Whether they look nice or not is nothing to do with it!

Big statement that; why aren't they necessary? Are you OK with fossil fuels or should we be looking for other alternatives?
In my view, every MWh generated by wind is a MWh not generated by fossil fuels; difficult to see the downside.

Bella56

We have one nearby (just the one) and it adds interest. Have seen a huge wind farm in the US, and the twinkling lights at night to warn off airplanes was beautiful. Would much rather see them than have fracking anywhere nearby!

cepheus

The MSE poll with 73% in favour of wind farms in some form and 17% against (so far) is very similar to the results found in professional national polls, with a vast majority in favour, although the questions are slightly different.

This one conducted in 2012 has 66% in favour, 28% neutral or don't know and only 8% against. Even Conservative voters are in favour.

Tiglath

I think they're rather graceful and elegant, unlike pylons which gave me nightmares as a kid.