THE Government looks set to belatedly check the expansion of land-based wind turbines and massive solar farms that are inefficient, costly and a blight on local homes.

Time will tell if this has the desired effect and the wind turbine gravy train is brought to a halt, allowing us  then to clearly differentiate between  a proper green agenda and a green agenda driven by greed.

Equally important would be, firstly, to withdraw the subsidy immediately from all schemes.

The present proposal does not bring about a change until 2015. An immediate withdrawal would help the communities of Aylburton and Coleford and put paid to the planning appeals hanging over their communities.

It would also stop a knee-jerk 11th hour rush by industrial scale solar and wind companies to push through ill-conceived applications before the deadline.

Secondly, our local wind energy companies have recently been on a self-promoting exercise claiming mass community support in Lydney and Aylburton when in reality that is clearly and simply not the case.

If companies such as these want to claim community support then they should fund a secret democratic ballot within the local communities brokered by local councils, then we would have a clear and concise decision. That is real democratic localism is it not?

Subsidies for renewable energy must be reduced for the benefit of every household. Never has so much been paid to a few to the detriment of the many.

Belatedly or not, the Government should be congratulated on this stance, albeit it may be a path to buy back votes they have lost by disregarding the views of the majority.

Ever the optimist, one can only hope that the Government remains strong and committed on this and not revert back to its posture if they get through an election.

– Cllr Alan Preest UKIP, Lydney/Aylburton.