Dwayne Bailey has some simple advice for Gulf Shore residents fighting a proposed wind farm in their area, don't give up the fight because they may regret the consequences. Bailey recently abandoned his Elmira, P.E.I., home because noise from a nearby wind farm was becoming intolerable. It kept the family awake at night and impacted their health with headaches and vision problems. "Don't let them put up the windfarm, it's way too close to the houses. It chased us out of our house and it could happen to someone else. We didn't have much a choice and it resulted in us leaving our home," Bailey said, adding his parents also abandoned their home.

A major announcement is thought likely today on a bid for planning permission for another controversial giant windfarm on Lewis which could polarise opinions ahead of local elections in May. Speculation has been heightened as Alan Wilson, the deputy enterprise minister, who will make the final decision on the contentious scheme to build 53 turbines at Eisgein, is due to visit Stornoway with the First Minister Jack McConnell for the Highlands and Islands Convention. It is believed Mr Wilson is minded to approve the application subject to certain conditions and, provided legal issues are finalised, could confirm what is seen as a significant investment opportunity to regenerate the isles’ economy.

Plans for a controversial windfarm at a Perthshire beauty-spot have been approved - despite almost 700 objections and concerns about the impact on local water supplies. In a 75-page judgment issued yesterday, Scottish ministers overruled a decision by Perth and Kinross Council to refuse a 16-turbine development at Drumderg, near Alyth. The ruling, which follows a four-week public inquiry that ended in June, has disappointed opposition campaigners.

The Patrick County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Monday to enact a temporary ordinance prohibiting the construction of structures more than 100 feet tall, with a six-month "sunset clause." According to the motion made by Peters Creek District Supervisor David Young, the board will make a decision at the end of the six months on whether to adopt a permanent ordinance banning "tall structures," based on the results of a public opinion survey to be mailed to owners of real estate in Patrick County. The survey, which will be mailed by the county treasurer's office along with real estate tax tickets, asks recipients if they support the proposed policy: "No structure shall be built in Patrick County more than 100 feet high, except a structure built solely for telecommunications purposes and except a structure built as a steeple or tower for a place of religious worship."

Do we want to leave the entirety of our surroundings to the administrative technicalities of a zoning office through the mere vote of 12 people whose interests raise grave doubts of motive? Of course not. Clearly, a matter of this gravity and importance should be decided by public referendum.