Last updated 10:48, Friday, 05 September 2008

One can only imagine the conflicting emotions racing around the camp as the spirited opponents read first that MP Eric Martlew had joined them in opposing the Cumwhinton windfarm application, only to discover that he wanted to keep the land clear for ‘industry and housing development’ (The Cumberland News, August 22).

There is a rather delicious irony in the thought of Mr Martlew supporting those eyeing up Junction 42, alarmed at the thought that a mere windfarm might stand in the way of their own plans for the once-green fields.

How many of the 500 souls who registered an opinion against the windfarm might have given it wholehearted support if they had thought that just three turbines might scupper plans for the eventual conversion of the whole area into industrial units? We await the response.

MARGARET AND JEREMY ROBERTS
Wetheral Pasture

• Wind turbine power is an intractable problem for those in opposition.

Cumbria County Council is urging ministers to give greater consideration to the impact on the landscape of what is an indisputably beautiful county. A plethora of windfarms will make Cumbria look more like an industrial estate.

The benefits? Minimal, because wind power is no more than 30 per cent reliable at best, so the remaining 70 per cent must be generated by traditional or nuclear means. There is no other way.

The county council is to be congratulated on its attempt to act sensibly, challenging the decisions made by Westminster which bows and scrapes to Brussels’ directives.

A more generally acceptable solution has to be found.

JOHN WARMINGHAM
Wetheral

• It would be catastrophic if windfarms and alternative means of generating electricity are not built

With a general depletion of world-wide energy sources alternatives have to be created and wind is plentiful in Cumbria, along with water power.

We should all be consuming less and economising more, even in Cumwhinton.

As for the constant ‘droning’ of a wind turbine, it’s more like a swish/swish, little exceeding the noise of the wind. I should know, I have one down the garden. My own doing its bit.

GEOFF BRAZENDALE
Stainton Road
Etterby
Carlisle