Wednesday, 28th March 2007

(please note that Vickram was asked by the Council to speak for no more than 5 minutes so he was not able to deliver the full text of his speech)

Members of the Council, Ladies and Gentlemen,

My name is Vickram Mirchandani and I am the Managing Director of Coronation Power. I wish to use the next few minutes to explain the reasons why our wind farm on Todmorden Moor should be supported by Todmorden Council and in due course approved by Calderdale. Please note that Calderdale is a signatory to the Nottingham Declaration that commits the authority to tackling climate change at a local level, and that Calderdale's Unitary Development Plan endorses sustainable forms of development.

Firstly, may I outline our proposal: We propose a 5 turbine wind farm on land off Flower Scar Road, Sharneyford. Each turbine would be up to 3MW in capacity and up to 125 metres high. The wind farm will generate clean energy for 8,000 homes and will save nearly 34,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide during its lifetime compared to coal generation. Locally the wind farm will contribute to over 75% of Calderdale's sub-regional renewable target.

The turbines proposed will be taller than existing turbines in the region, but this is because turbine design has changed and become more efficient and quieter. Today's turbines mean that you can generate more power with less turbines. By their very nature, turbines will alter the landscape, but the majority of people find them attractive and anyway they can be removed in 25 years and the land restored.

In addition, and this should not be overlooked, the wind farm will generate £375,000 for local community projects. We have also given the opportunity for local people to buy a stake in one of the turbines - community ownership- which means that local people can directly profit from the wind farm.

In recent weeks, we have heard some people dispute the contribution that wind power can make, and we have even had some people question whether climate change is just an illusion. I'm sure most people in this room tonight can't deny the evidence that our climate is changing for the worse. Governments, scientists, academics, environmental groups such as the RSPB and Friends of the Earth, and ordinary people like us accept that there is a problem and something must be done. It is an issue affecting all of us and we must all look at ways to protect our environment, rather than rely on somebody else doing something. It's a shared responsibility: whether it's through improved energy efficiency, low emission vehicles, recycling or in this instance wind power generation.

In 2003, the Government Energy Review said that we needed more wind generation, and they repeated this in last year's White Paper. Earlier this month, EU leaders called for more renewable sources of energy. We also had the Stern Report in November calling for radical action to be taken. I'm saying this because we can't ignore what is being said elsewhere.

It's also worth noting that all the major political parties in this country endorse renewable energy and it is accepted that onshore wind is the most mature of all the forms of renewables. Offshore wind is happening but is slow to develop, and in some cases the costs of construction and connections are still proving too high. So it's not possible to simply say build offshore rather than onshore. This country needs more renewable energy capacity now and onshore wind is the most readily available answer.

With regard to the planning process, it's important to note that national planning policy guidance (PPS22) is clear about the issues for councils to be aware of when considering wind farm applications. There have to be very strong and valid reasons for a council to reject an application.

We accept that sites for onshore wind have to be carefully chosen. There has to be a certain amount of wind, and sites also need to be close to a National grid connection. There needs to be good access, and we have avoided areas such as AONBs, National Parks, SSSIs, and areas too close to airports. We have looked across the entire North West for possible wind farm sites before choosing Todmorden Moor (and our sites above Wardle and Bacup), and so we genuinely feel that we have made the right choice.

Being a wind farm developer, we believe in our environment so we do not wish to see local habitats damaged by our work. That's why we appointed one of the most respected environmental consultancy firms to help us on this project - a firm called Dulas Ltd.

The environmental studies have covered everything from noise, visual impact, shadow flicker, hydrology, archaeology, mine surveys, bird surveys, ecology, transport, cumulative impact and so on. These studies did not highlight any issues that can't be mitigated, and so we feel the objections made by opponents about the affects to the local water, risks from mine workings, and the loss of peat moor land are groundless.

I also want to make one comment about the flying club. We have spoken to them at great length and have explored some alternative options. We want to see the flying club flourish, and we feel that the offer of land elsewhere is a good offer. We also want to see other users of the moor, especially walkers and riders, to continue to enjoy the moor. We don't believe that the wind farm, which will not be fenced off, will be as intrusive as some people suggest.

I'm conscious of time, so in wrapping up can I thank Todmorden Council for giving me the opportunity to address the committee. I understand that you have received letters of objection but please note that our local supporters, and we have some here tonight, have expressed their support direct to Calderdale. May I ask you to think about the ramifications of your decision tonight and how it may influence public attitudes? The decision taken tonight will greatly affect new generations of children as they grow older, and the greatest threat they face today is not war or security, but climate change as stated by the Government's chief scientist, Sir David King. You ladies and gentlemen, are tonight in a position to do something to create a better world for your children and grand children.

Thank you.