May I start by wishing all readers a happy New Year, and I hope that you enjoyed a restful and relaxing Christmas break.
The challenges of the year ahead loom large, but I am optimistic that we will be able to meet all the challenges head on. The year ended on a high note for the residents in Stoke Hammond in the north of the Buckingham constituency. The news came through, the day before Christmas Eve, that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, had decided to reject the appeal by Force 9 Energy. This means that the plan to build four wind turbines at the site known as Dorcas Lane, just outside Stoke Hammond, has been comprehensively kicked into touch, much to my delight and the delight of those living close to the site. This is not only great news for Stoke Hammond residents, but also those living in Dinton who are seeing off a similar proposal. I hope to give evidence at the upcoming planning inquiry – as I did at the Stoke Hammond inquiry – in a couple of weeks’ time, setting out my objections to the application to build a turbine at Dinton. I will, of course, keep readers updated as to developments as well as keeping my fingers firmly crossed for a good outcome. In the meantime, I will be continuing with my usual rounds of constituency engagements, meetings and surgeries.
It is shaping up to be a busy month, and the diary is rapidly filling up. Nonetheless, I am looking forward to getting stuck back into work after the Christmas holidays, and I daresay I shall have the opportunity to catch up with many Herald readers in person in the coming weeks. Don’t forget you too can have your say on the issues that affect your area. You can send a letter to the paper by emailing letters@bucksherald.co.uk leave a comment at www.bucksherald.co.uk or find us on Facebook and Twitter.