Weather Mast Vandalised

After only a month of collecting data for Unity Wind’s project to set up two wind turbines at the edge of North Walsham, efforts have been sabotaged by the intentional cutting of cables holding the met mast up. A met mast is a metal pole fitted with expensive calibrated devices to transmit wind data that can then be used to assess the potential for renewable energy. This data is vital to demonstrate to funders how much electricity might be generated. We are inviting investment by local individuals (anyone who wishes to invest is invited to visit our website or contact us) but anticipate some costs will need to be sourced from loans. The met mast itself had been donated by the Olympic Village developers and had already collected very promising data (i.e. plenty of wind) for the site. Unity Wind is an Independent and Provident Society, an organisation that is designed to be able to be community owned and able to return as much of the benefits of the company to the local community as possible. So far it comprises a small group of volunteers, seeking grants and other interested parties who are keen to see renewable energy developed in North Norfolk. Although there are often objections in rural areas of scenic beauty nobody has raised concerns that might have led us to expect this act of vandalism. The police have been notified but it will be difficult to find the culprits who were prepared with equipment suited to cutting thick cable. It occurred in the early evening on Thursday 3 December, when there may well have been many people travelling along the Cromer road but it was dark and rained all night - obscuring any tracks that might have been left. This is unfortunate. It will not stop the project but will cost money and time to put right. At a time when many are concerned about where energy is coming from and with the prospect of nuclear power stations looming (on a fast track) this would appear to be a particular selfish and inappropriate action. Those who have objections do have recourse to legal process and we are a reasonable group, if anyone has concerns they would like to talk through.