The wind awareness campaign was very positively received everywhere across the Isle of Wight as the team attended more than 10 events. They chatted to several thousand people, many visitors as well as residents and their children. The whole process has proved enjoyable for everyone involved.
 
In excess of 1000 letters and signatures have been gathered in support of the wind farm proposal, at last count, and they are still coming in.
 
As spokesperson said:

“Our letters were voluntarily signed by people who at times queued to sign up. We have never chosen to pin point one area or knock on our neighbour’s doors.  Our non pressure approach meant people had to make an effort and come to us and that’s what makes each signature so valuable”

We only encountered 6 members of the public who voiced opposition to wind energy at these events, and their arguments included

“ The island is over populated, less people, less need for electricity” and “ Build what you like, but wait till I’m not here to view it”

The greatest concerns from the public seemed to be:

1. The terrible changes we are having in our weather, flooding
2. Storm damage to buildings and loss of trees and habitat
3. The erosion of the coastline on the Island and how much quicker that might get.
4. They want electricity supplies to be safeguarded/maintained in the UK, no blackouts

Nearly everyone we encountered were very pragmatic about wind turbines and felt that the island should play it’s part, as well as the rest of the UK, in producing cleaner energy and that the long term protection of the heritage coastline was more important than maintaining a temporary view today.

The council should grasp this challenge now rather than wait to have possible changes in planning laws thrust upon it later.