Published at 07:41, Wednesday, 13 February 2013

IN your report that Hexham Racecourse is appealing against the refusal of consent for a proposed wind turbine (Courant, February 1), it is noted that the scheme would make Yarridge the first carbon-neutral racecourse in the country.

The end, in itself, seems to be approved; it is the means to that end which is criticised, particularly by Coun. Derek Kennedy.

I have just caught up on a BBC programme in the Costing the Earth series, which illustrates the proactive and pioneering approach the German government is taking towards meeting the entire country's energy needs with renewable sources.

It looks particularly at one village near Berlin which generates, by various means, 140 times (yes, 140 times!) the electricity it consumes.

Here, it seems, nimbyists set the agenda, which is to obstruct progressive ideas for the development of modern carbon-free energy – whether a turbine at the racecourse or harnessing the enormous potential of our own River Tyne.

NEIL HEMMINGS,

Hexham

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk