Already the NIMBY’s are bleating. A new solar farm that will give clean energy to 92000 homes for the next 60 years is called out by a tory MP who is “utterly appalled”. Is it the clean energy that has her so appalled? References to farmland are a concern, but a solar farm can easily be removed if necessary and will protect the farmland from chemical and physical degradation by the agricultural industry. People in the countryside must come to the realisation of what harm food production at cheap prices is doing to the ecosystem. Sunny morning – all the right flowers in the garden and number of butterflies = ZERO.
The government has not said if it will reinstate subsidies for private home owners or introduce legislation for house builders. The downside of solar energy is that 80% are produvced in China – but presumably this could change? Also the benefits to homeowners will not affect those who are stretched to the limit by current energy prices. And we await the battery revolution which would enable thousands or even millions to go off grid! A use for the garages that have never housed a car! Or even for the unused chimneys and fireplaces?
Which makes me think – do we need a radical rethink of housing design? From runoff to grey water disposal to heating equipment. Underfloor heating invented by the Romans would finally become common. Will houses also benefit from shutters to keep unwanted sun out? Many houses expand their kitchen areas so a new design of kitchen/dining areas would seem sensible? And why are house builders so set on providing a set format – surely we have reached a situation where the buyer can dictate the house design to a much larger extent. House builders profits of approx. £50000 per property seem extortionate. Could blocks of flats be designed to include communal facilities that could be booked via an app and allow filmed entry to avoid misuse – thinking here of washing/drying, even lockers for outside clothing and bikes? Time to think outside the box and have some blue sky thinking (are there more modern crap phrases?).
Communal areas in all large new housing developments makes sense. Green areas for play, BBQ areas – I am thinking of the wonderful area by the river in Lostwithiel where the council have provided a couple of brick BBQ’s and a couple of tables – nothing earth shatteringly expensive. The communal part of society has disappeared. I am not particularly friendly, or solitary! I go to the local shop every morning to sort out the papers and supplements at the weekend. My garden, is I admit!, different! But other than a brief wave I have not spoken to a neighbour for several months. Are they, like the fear of witches in the past, frightened of me and my herbs? Maybe I should get a black cat and really freak them out! I ahve offered free herbs to all and no one has taken it up! I know cooking skills are crap nationally, but really! Rosemary, thyme, mints, basil, marjoram, bay, and for the more adventurous there are nasturtium, evening primrose, rose patals, lemon basil.
It was funny this morning, trying to explain the concept of reducing prison numbers – the guy seemed to have problems with the word rehabilitation! He repeated it a couple of times like it was a foreign word!
A sunday morning – I phoned Tams and she told me she was just doing day 23 without a day off! She was also positive about the weather despite starting a glamping business! Maz has a maternity cover as a first teaching job and Martin has just got a promotion as an electrician. On which he was talking to a 22 year old electrician who had trained straight from school – was working for an agency and getting £38000 pa! Not bad!
