THE mysterious leaflet Nicky Packer writes about would appear not to have reached Woolaston, so I can make no comment on it.   I would prefer that the focus be on the  ridiculous  grant system where­by developers are able to apply for extremely generous subsidies for 25 years to build such inefficient means of creating energy as wind turbines. 

Wind turbines only work when it is windy (but not too windy).

Yet people need energy even when it is not windy. Therefore coal/gas/nuclear power stations are still required to back them up  and, as power  stations,  cannot be just switched on and off.

They operate continually, so no reduction in the carbon footprint there then.

There are many more efficient ways of producing 'green' energy, such as anaerobic digester plants and solar panels rather than creating a series of 287-feet wind turbines across the beautiful Severn valley. 

I am not surprised that house prices in St Briavels have not been affected by their wind turbine, it is not seen in St Briavels but it can be seen across the Severn Valley. 

The National Valuation Office has officially acknowledged that large wind turbines can adversely affect the value of homes up to one kilometre away and residents may accordingly apply for reductions in their Council Tax.

Perhaps if the developers think differently, they will agree to underwrite the value of nearby properties as they seek planning permission to build a wind turbine?

– David Warren, Woolaston.