PRESS RELEASE 20th MAY 2007

Initially we would like to refute some of the scandalous and what we believe to be libellous remarks made by the consortium consultants both privately and publicly in some recent newspaper articles. They have blatantly accused us of being involved in both the destruction of the wind mast and also the alleged harassment of the land owners.  They have also stated that we have been interviewed by the police in relation to a “campaign of misinformation”.  We would like to publicity state that we are running a peaceful and legal campaign and I personally have met with the police on more than one occasion to discuss both our campaign in general and our recent public meeting.  The police have informed me that no-one within FLAT has been interviewed in relation to these allegations and no-one is under suspicion of any wrong doing.  We do not and have not ever condoned any criminal act by people opposed to the wind factory development.  I hope this statement will now stop the campaign of slander that has been instigated by the consultants representing the consortium.

We held another public meeting on the 18th of May at Tilney St Lawrence village hall.  The meeting was very well attended by almost 300 people and we have since received correspondence from people who could not attend but strongly support our campaign.  An additional £600 was raised towards our fighting fund by donations given on the night for which we are very grateful.  All of speakers were well received by the audience and another show of hands demonstrated an almost unanimous opposition to the proposed wind turbine factory.  Details of all of the talks will shortly appear on our website.

We at FLAT have been accused by one of the consultants representing the consortium (Bruce Pittingale) of using hysteria rather that facts to frighten people.  Our meeting was entirely based on facts and the facts seemed to be frightening enough to our audience without having to resort to hysteria!!  We have been able to obtain a “scoping document” in relation to this proposal and we strongly advise everyone to read it – it will be on our website as soon as is practically possible.  This document is dated August 2006 which we find very interesting considering the consortium consultants told us at our last public meeting (in April 2007) that it had not even been started.  We have also obtained a map dated the 27th of April 2007 which clearly shows 26 proposed turbines despite “categorical” assurances from the consortium consultants in front of 300 witnesses at our public meeting on the 19th of April that the proposal was for less that 26 turbines.  Please read the scoping document – it will give you the details that the consortium have not been prepared to reveal to you.  I think it will also clearly demonstrate that it is the consortium consultants and not us that have been providing misinformation!!

The next stage in the campaign will be to study every document related to this development to ensure that it is accurate and truthful!  For example there is a section in the scoping study that states that infrasound and vibration are not a problem with modern day turbines and they will not therefore be considered in the study.  People will find this an unbelievable statement after listening to Jane Davies's talk.  She has moved from her home (and cannot sell it) as a result of the different noise effects (including infrasound) generated by these huge turbines  We will also have to challenge the planning application (if it gets to this stage) and the Environmental Impact Assessment.  This will all cost money as we will have to employ highly qualified professionals to help us.  Our next priority must therefore be to raise more funds and as well as direct donations through PayPal via our website (www.flat-group.co.uk) we would also ask people to support the fund raising events that we will be organising in the near future.  We will keep people informed of these via our website and press releases.  If anyone has any expertise and interest in fund raising we would be very pleased to hear from them. 

We will also be distributing a FLAT newsletter in the near future and organising “information road-shows" at local village halls.  This will be an opportunity for surrounding villages to find out what impact this development will have on them.

Posters aimed at showing solidarity to our campaign can also be downloaded from our website.

Lyndon Mason
FLAT Chairman