IT was interesting to read the two letters recently, one from a gentleman against the proposed nuclear plant at Oldbury and one against wind turbines in the Forest. Both had approached candidates standing in the county council elections asking their views on nuclear/wind and both had been told the councillors would oppose any proposal. I think this might tell us more on what a person up for election might say to a special interest group rather than what they might say in other circumstances, e.g. when they are asked by an unemployed person why they are objecting to a project that might create thousands of jobs.

The writer objecting to Oldbury pointed out that he was only objecting to Oldbury, not against nuclear power per se, but that this wasn't nimbyism. Er....no, this is exactly what nimbyism is – somebody who wants all the benefits of something, be it roads, air travel, electricity, but none of the disadvantages.

Mr French also warns of the effects on the proposed Oldbury site of a tsunami caused by bits of the Canary Islands collapsing into the sea. This possibility appears to have been first postulated by Dr Simon Day of the Benfield Greig Hazards Research Centre, University College London in 2004. It is a theory, there are many equally distinguished geologists who disagree with his findings, but what does appear to be accepted is that Britain would have at least ten hours notice of the event – time enough to shut down and make the plant safe.

– Herbie Renfield, Longhope.