Sir,

Regarding ‘Belgian anti-wind campaigners vent fury at EU‘:

In support of those who are proponents of alternative energy and recognising fully that wind farms degrade substantially the Belgian countryside which I adore, I suggest that these people have a point.

Wind farms significantly detract from the appeal of the countryside by degrading the visual appeal of all the natural beauty that is so rare to Belgium.

I am happy to see Belgium take a leadership role in alternative energy, but the amassing of wind farms in Belgium reduces its enormous treasure of world-renowned beauty as represented by small-town life. All this is overshadowed by the grey industrialism symbolised by the modern wind farm.

I for one believe there must be a better answer. Like any country, the natural beauty of Belgium’s land is part of Belgians’ human character and though it is nice to see the modern promise of wind-farming as an intelligent solution, it is also necessary to listen to communities to ensure that excessive wind farming in any one area does not detract from their natural bond to the land.

Therefore I do not believe in concentrated wind farming. I believe it should be disbursed among the communities its serves.

An effort should be made to beautify the windmills being used and to integrate them with the timeless-style of rural Belgium, instead of installing more of the modern eyesores that they have become.

I support wind power, but support people who recognise the sanctity of the Belgian countryside as a national treasure.

Sincerely,

James Reginald Harris, Jr.

Private citizen