Blowing in the wind

Today's announcement from the RSPB that they will not contest windfarm developments that are not in "sensitive" areas is to be warmly welcomed. As the windiest country in Europe we should not be in the relegation zone with one of the lowest contributions to the energy mix from windpower. I am on record as advocating Skye Edge, in my own "backyard" as an excellent site for a windfarm. We have got to start winning the arguments against the Nimby's because climate change isn't just threatening our view, it is threatening the very survival of most of the species on the planet- and among those I include humankind. Included in the nimby's is Hillsborough MP Angela Smith, who has just launched an objection to the Sheephouse Heights windfarm proposal on the Barnsley/ Sheffield border.She reminds me of the woman on the Age of Stupid, who after winning her battle against a wind farm, was asked if she cares about climate change. "Of course I do" she lied, smiling all over her face. So now with the support of the RSPB, perhaps the UK will start to climb out of the relegation zone of wind power electricity production.

Skye Edge field

I had a letter today from a future voter. It said

Dear Mr Wroe
I am hoping you will help my friends and me.
I would like you to put more youth clubs for us 12 years olds.
The older kids are mixed in with the younger ones so there is a little bullying so to keep the ages separate we need a bigger place.
We also need Skye Edge field cleaning up as there is glass and rubbish there and spray paint.
We would like a bigger place as well for skate boarding and biking. Our neighbours get annoyed if we play in the road. So we need better lighting and better security. Skye Edge field would be ok.
A future voter
...........

Skye Edge field is definitely a problem. I am asking the council to pay a visit and do a clean up, but what the area really needs is some local people who will take real care of it- like the Friends of Norfolk Park and the Friends of Sheaf Valley Park. And people need to feel safe there. I have been intimidated there before with youngsters on motorbikes driving at crazy speeds across the field and on the footpaths. The next Victoria Environment Group litter pick is this Saturday-meet at Victoria Methodist at 10am. If enough people come who are concerned about Skye Edge we could send a team in that direction.

As for facilities for youngsters, I must admit I am a bit out of touch on this. My kids have now all grown up, so I am not sure what is available in the area.There are sports activities at All Saints (contact Vicky Joel on (0114) 274 3529 or email v.joel@allsaintslearning.co.uk)and Green Watch organise football coaching at Park Academy on Monday evenings 5.30-6.30, for 10 to 18 year olds.(Jake Bonsall on 07769 912 872)Jake’s also looking for volunteers to work on environmental projects on the Manor and Arbourthorne estates.If readers know of other good activities for young teenagers in this area please add a comment to this article and inform everybody.

There is a list of Youth Clubs in Sheffield here-
http://www.finder.co.uk/b2b/Sheffield/Youth-Centres-And-Associations
I assume you go to the Park Centre? Have you asked the leaders there about the possibility of a group for you younger ones? What did they say? And have you told them about the bullying? If they know about it hopefully they can do something about it.

I think your idea for a skate park on Skye Edge is a good one. We will need to convince the people that hold the purse strings, as it would be expensive. Maybe you and your friends could put a petition together and present it to the Council. Ask me if you want some help with this.

Skye Edge windfarm?

Skye Edge was mentioned on the front page of the Star this week as a possible location for a windfarm.It is certainly a very windy location, and I think the turbines would be a spectacular sign that Sheffield is becoming a green city. I certainly wont be taking the NIMBY view on this one- we need alternative renewable sources of energy and wind energy makes a great deal of sense for Sheffield. The arguments NIMBY protestors use against windfarms, such as noise and bird kill have no justification. Having said that, I am not giving the developers free reign to build all over Skye Edge! This is the best viewpoint of the city of Sheffield and it is a vital piece of open land for recreation. I hope a windfarm can be developed that will still allow access to the open space and viewpoints. And this land belongs to the people of Sheffield- I hope the people of Sheffield will profit from the use of the windfarm, not some rich utility company!

For a 360 degree tour of Skye Edge click here.

The windfarm would compliment the new sustainable housing that is planned for the site where the old flats have been demolished. See the council website for more details.