Growing up in the countryside, I couldn’t help but notice the disdain for electricity pylons during car rides with my parents. This sentiment often extends to wind turbines, which are seen as unsightly by some rural residents. In fact, the opposition to wind turbines was so strong that David Cameron implemented stricter rules in 2015, resulting in a significant decline in planning permissions granted for these structures. While the current government has recently relaxed these rules, there is still considerable power given to objectors.
However, I urge country dwellers who are inclined to obstruct wind turbines to reconsider their opinion. In reality, these turbines possess a unique beauty. They are far more visually appealing than power stations and less damaging than fracking. They are certainly more attractive than the devastating effects of climate change, such as floods, fires, and droughts. Additionally, wind turbines contribute to the nation’s prosperity by harnessing the abundant wind resources and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels from oppressive regimes.
Moreover, wind turbines are part of a long-standing rural tradition of resilient structures that include barns, mills, viaducts, and canals, all of which have become cherished and protected symbols of the countryside. As a child, I would always feel a sense of joy seeing an old windmill during our drives. It shouldn’t be difficult to appreciate their modern counterparts.
Shifting gears to a different topic, let’s discuss deck-access housing. Traditionally associated with council estates, this style of housing has acquired a negative reputation over the years, often being labeled as “housing for dirty people.” However, deck-access housing simply refers to the concept of reaching your front door via an open-air balcony instead of stuffy corridors and lift lobbies. When executed properly, this arrangement can foster a sense of sociability and enjoyment. It establishes a connection between the apartments and the surrounding open spaces, counteracting the tendency of apartment buildings to become isolated and disconnected units. According to a recent book by writer and critic Rory Olcayto, deck-access housing offers practical advantages such as providing homes with multiple aspects.
In light of these benefits, it is delightful to learn that the House for Artists, a deck-access block in Barking, east London, has been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious Stirling Prize. This recognition demonstrates that there is no valid reason to dismiss this style of housing, apart from snobbery.
Lastly, let’s address the issue of the National Trust and the recurring attempts by certain groups to influence its direction. Similar to the annual rituals of the Last Night of the Proms and bonfire night, campaigners against the National Trust’s perceived “wokery” are striving to gain control over the organization. Restore Trust, an organization with unclear funding sources, has put forth a slate of candidates for the National Trust’s council, promising to restore its “apolitical ethos.” However, such attempts were unsuccessful last year.
These campaigners have garnered support from figures like Nigel Farage and Neil Record, who was previously associated with the Institute of Economic Affairs, a libertarian think tank known for its influence on Liz Truss’s policies, which were widely regarded as disastrous. It’s challenging to understand the genuine grievances these individuals have, aside from objecting to a 2020 report that explored the connections between colonialism and National Trust properties. This report simply presented the factual statement that Winston Churchill opposed Indian independence. Furthermore, they disagree with the trust’s approach to restoring the fire-damaged Clandon Park house in Surrey and dislike efforts to make Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire more child-friendly.
It’s unlikely that the National Trust, a popular and well-managed organization, will benefit from the election of right-wing culture warriors to its council. If you are a member of the National Trust, I encourage you to exercise your right to vote wisely. Rowan Moore, the Observer’s architecture critic, shares this sentiment.
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