'Congratulations for stand against Thornton le Beans egg farm'

Congratulations to their parish council in their successful stand against this project, which, as any other industrial production unit, should be located in an industrial estate, of which there are several within the former Hambleton District Council area.

May I give special thanks to the hundreds of residents of Borrowby and Hillside parishes who individually took the time and effort to object to this egg unit – its traffic would have had a tremendous impact on the narrow roads and bridges within our area.

These roads are regularly used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and the applicants had given no thoughts at all to the effects of their additional traffic within a 24/7 timescale, let alone the extreme environmental consequences to surrounding fields and streams, or to the visual impact of large buildings in open countryside.

Hopefully we may now all enjoy this lovely countryside that we are blessed with.

Fred Wachsberger, chairman, Borrowby Parish Council.

Planning regulations

UNTIL the Second World War, there was no effective overall planning control in this country.

For example, houses were built by developers with drives directly on to arterial roads so the builders could avoid the cost of road construction.

After the war it was realised that, as development got under way again, proper planning control was essential and the Town and Country Planning Act 1947, came into effect on January 1, 1948.

Anyone who has travelled around the USA will have seen the disastrous results of the "anything goes" policy which applies in many parts of the States.

The need for development to be controlled on this crowded island is surely a given.

Yet we now have a proposal from the government to allow landowners to convert barns into houses without planning permission, “Parks condemn conversion free for all” (D&S Times, Aug 18).

Many barns are not suitable for conversion, distance from services being a frequent issue, and the cost of converting barns means they will make no contribution to the affordable housing situation.

The planning profession has allowed itself to become excessively bureaucratic and time consuming and this is an issue that needs to be addressed, but the essential nature of the process remains, especially in protected landscapes like National Parks.

The requirement for planning permission must remain.

Gerald Hodgson, Spennithorne, Leyburn.

EV experience

IN reply to Trevor Mason’s comments, our family have owned the same two EVs since 2017, the combined mileage is now over 130,000 and servicing requirements have been minimal, we haven’t noticed any changes to the range over this time, ‘Guinea Pigs’ (D&S Times letters, Aug 18).

Trevor seems to believe that EVs are not yet able to run for ten years and do 100,000 miles, but all EVs on sale now can achieve this.

I am unsure what he means by EVs being able to "self-charge", this would suggest defying the laws of thermodynamics.

A key advantage of EVs is that we already have a national infrastructure to supply electricity to practically every building in the country and that the source of our electricity supply is being made more and more renewable on a national scale.

Trevor mentions hydrogen-powered cars as an alternative.

We do not have an infrastructure to distribute, store and fill hydrogen into vehicles.

Hydrogen presents many technical problems, it needs to be stored at very high pressures to achieve a density whereby it can usefully be used as road vehicle fuel.

Hydrogen leaks easily, being a very small atom and can self-ignite when leaking from pressure.

As an engineer familiar with hydrogen’s risks, the idea of driving a vehicle with a hydrogen fuel tank which will need to be two to three times bigger than a petrol tank but at 700 Bar pressure makes no "common sense" as Trevor would put it.

To have large scale hydrogen storage facilities in communities or even piped into domestic premises as a methane replacement would present huge risks.

On a final note, charging EVs on cheaper overnight electricity means the running cost is about 2p per mile. At current diesel prices that is the equivalent to achieving 270 mpg.

It looks like the guinea pigs might be winning.

Stewart Brennan, Stokesley.

Sensible discussion

RESORTING to name calling is generally an indicator of someone motivated by prejudice rather than rational argument.

In his letter “Guinea pigs” (D&S letters, Aug 18), Trevor Mason refers to those pressing for as rapid as possible a changeover to electric vehicles as “revolutionary eco zealots continually ranting about environmental changes”.

The people he refers to are individuals who rightly believe that unless we make a radical shift away from our current dependence on fossil fuels, then we are likely to face catastrophic climate change with massively adverse effects on countries around the globe.

I would suggest to Mr Mason that it’s possible to have a sensible discussion about precisely how necessary changes are to be implemented without resorting to the kind of language that he uses.

Frank Broughton, Brompton-on-Swale.

Installer shortage

I HAVE been following the debate on global warming and the country going net zero. The government has decreed that gas boilers will be phased out and will not be able to be purchased after 2035, after then only heat pumps will be available,

That is unless the debate on hydrogen heating can be resolved.

Here two locations had been selected for trials, Redcar in Cleveland and Whitby in Cheshire, the residents of Whitby appear to have rejected the plan because they were not convinced.

I further read that Britain has the lowest percentage of people in Europe using heat pumps, there are estimated to be only 3,000 qualified tradesmen installing these pumps, and it will take 300 years at the present rate before all homes in Britain will have a heat pump.

Should we take our politicians seriously?

Brian Tyldesley, Middleham.

Oil boiler concern

I AM writing to express my concern about the Government’s plan to ban new oil boilers in off-grid homes from 2026, and the impact it will have on older people in our region.

As the CEO of Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington, the local charity that supports older people in the region, I have seen first-hand how vital heating and hot water are for their health and well-being. Many older people living in rural areas rely on oil boilers for their heating and hot water, and they are worried about how they will cope with the change.

Switching to alternative heating systems such as heat pumps could be costly, disruptive, and ineffective for many older homes that are not well insulated and are not suitable for heat pumps. Some of them may also have to replace their radiators and pipes, which could take weeks and leave them without heating in the cold weather.

We understand the need to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, but we urge the government to consider the needs and circumstances of older people who live off the gas grid.

They need more time, support, and funding to make the transition to greener heating systems, and they need to be informed and consulted about the changes well in advance.

Otherwise, they could face higher energy bills, poorer health outcomes, and increased isolation.

We want older people to be able to enjoy later life in warm, comfortable, and safe homes. We don’t want them to be left behind or left out by the oil boiler ban.

We hope the government will listen to our concerns and work with us to find a fair and feasible solution for everyone.

Helen Hunter, CEO, Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington.

Funding foibles

THE more money the Government give the French, the more immigrants arrive in England.

Likewise, the more money the NHS receives, the longer waiting lists grow.

When will politicians realise money is useful, but not always the definitive answer.

Peter Rickaby, Selby.

Music Festival

BRINGING live music and performance to local communities is the mission of the De Mowbray Festival Thirsk, and they delivered on that last weekend.

Numerous local organisations and businesses provided venues, staff and performers for the Music Trail around the town on Saturday – just about "dancing in the street".

The Ritz Cinema hosted a showing of Charlie Chaplin's 1918 film about trench warfare, "Shoulder Arms", with the pit orchestra imagining appropriate and sympathetic musical accompaniment.

Thirsk Racecourse hosted an evening of classic big band jazz (1935-1965), with powerfully voiced singer Eleanor Sanders.

But the highlight was the performance of the Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci operas in St Mary's Church on Friday night.

Festival organiser Benjamin Ellis conducted a highly professional orchestra accompanying an equally accredited and highly charged and motivated cast.

This was living evidence of what can come from dedicated individuals and groups, collaborating at all levels can deliver for a community.

There should be only one way up – to engage even larger and varied audiences with continuing quality productions.

Severfield, the main sponsor, the White Rose Bookshop, the racecourse, British Legion Band, Butterflies Dance Music, Ian Bangay for Samba classes, Thirsk Tourist Information, should be thanked.

Thirsk is fast becoming a hub for the arts with its art galleries and shops, independent cinema, Thirsk Museum and Herriot Centre, Little 3 and Thirsk and Sowerby Institute for live performances, a concert orchestra, Thirsk Hall Arts Events and Sculpture Park.

Thanks is due to everyone who organised, delivered and performed in this wonderful weekend of arts.

Dr John R Gibbins, Sowerby, Thirsk.

Courteous workmen

I WAS on my way home from doing a little shopping in the village and workmen were busy renewing the footpaths and also controlling the flow of traffic.

I had to venture on the road some of the way, but one of the workmen guided me to a safe place to walk.

The workmen were very polite, and I was more than grateful for their help and kindness. So, thank you workmen.

Dulcie Farmer, Catterick Village.

Get a trade!

AFTER watching the news and seeing students being highly delighted with their exam results, what I did notice (unless I missed something) was that all the students said they wanted to go to the university of their choice and come out with a big debt round their neck.

Not one said I would like to take up an apprenticeship and learn a trade whether it be in building, engineering etc.

I hope they realise that later in life a person with a degree in sociology etc will not repair the water leak or the roof repair, car problems or any other skilled work that can only be done by skilled apprentice-trained tradesmen which they seem to be shunning.

T J Ryder, York.

Catch-22 situation

ACCORDING to the media, petrol and energy prices are set to rise over the next few months, as well as funeral costs.

I have therefore concluded that I can’t afford to live and I can’t afford to die.

When will the Government realise that the majority of the country is struggling and stop pandering to the privileged members of society?

Edwin Pickering, Darlington.

PM’s security

I NOTE the letter “Police funding” (D&S letters, Aug 11) about police staffing and whilst I agree that police numbers are not what anyone would wish, details of who is responsible for protection of the Prime Minister are easily searchable online, and it is the duty of the Home Office and specialist protection services, not North Yorkshire Police, so it would not be correct to suggest otherwise.

Ian Wright, Bedale.