Sir.–Having read Douglas Patterson’s letter at the beginning of July, I chose to wait and see how others responded. I was encouraged to read the responses from Martin Heath and Paul Beavers but surprised that more people were not motivated to write in.

It is my opinion, the letter written by Douglas was as ill-conceived as is his so-called “Keep Hampshire Green” campaign.

It is interesting that Douglas chose to have a pop at EU policy and subsidies. Many such policies are a positive influence in encouraging enterprise to support investment, operations and ventures that may not otherwise be profitable due to distorted market forces. He is a farmer and clearly most of his peer group have a good grasp of why EU subsidies are necessary if we are to protect long-term assets from short-term politics!

Surveys have shown that onshore wind turbines are popular with the majority of UK electorate. Publically available data demonstrates that it is the cheapest form of electricity generation, attracting smallest subsidies. However, a small minority of landed gentry manage to distort received opinion in local government.

The common benefit of mutual ownership through community share issue is disregarded while minority interests are preserved. This community ownership was available at Bullington Cross but dismissed by your councillors.

I am not a fan of the “big six” although I recognise the essential role they fulfil. I would prefer that a majority share of all generating assets were in community ownership – owned by local people and generating local benefit. This is not a call for a regression to nationalised infrastructure where unions led the greedy mob. It is a call for serious community engagement on local issues that matter.

The planners and politicians are bound to get things wrong from time to time. This is likely to go unnoticed when thinking, open-minded people choose not to research the facts for themselves and are simply swayed by the most vocal minority lobby. Please get informed and get involved. Please prioritise community wellbeing over personal greed. Please think more carefully about the costs of decisions that are made on our behalf and make sure your that decisions are counted, influential and in the community’s best interests.

–Andy Molloy, Cavalier Road, Old Basing.