4 days ago
Calling us Nimbys is ‘hate speech', anti-solar campaigner tells Government
The term 'Nimby' is hate speech, the leader of a campaign trying to block Britain's biggest solar farm has said.
Prof Alex Rogers, the chair of the Save Botley West community group, is organising efforts to prevent the construction of a £800 million solar farm covering almost 3,500 acres in the Oxfordshire countryside.
If approved, it would become the largest in Europe – and equivalent in size to Heathrow Airport.
Save Botley West called on the King to intervene on the grounds of an obscure law from the early 18th century.
But the 57-year-old marine biologist has hit out against the Government by describing Labour's use of the term 'Nimby' as a form of 'hate speech'.
Nimby, which stands for 'not in my backyard', is used to describe people who oppose new housing developments because they live near them.
The term has been used by prominent figures in the Government including Sir Keir Starmer, who in January vowed to end a 'challenge culture' against new developments by 'taking on the Nimbys'.
Prof Rogers said: 'We've heard the term Nimby bandied about by the Labour Government in particular, effectively that is pejorative language deliberately used to alienate and isolate ordinary people who are legitimately concerned about the really serious impacts of what is, in effect, a non-sustainable project.
'I would view a sustainable project as one which obviously benefits the climate, which this does, but also benefits people who live in the region and benefits wider aspects of the environment - and this scheme certainly does not do that.'
He added: 'I do have a message, particularly for the Labour Party, in respect of the use of 'Nimbys' or 'Nimbyism'.
'If you look at the UN definition of hate speech, the use of that term falls within that UN definition, and I think Labour would be appalled if people were using these sorts of terms to alienate other sections of society.'
The UN defines hate speech as: 'any kind of communication in speech, writing or behaviour, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language with reference to a person or a group on the basis of who they are, in other words, based on their religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, colour, descent, gender or other identity factor.'
On Sunday, activists opposed to the solar farm are walking from the gates of Blenheim palace to Winston Churchill's grave in Bladon – both of which will be affected by the proposal – in protest.
Prof Rogers said although he recognises the severity of climate change, the plans were 'too big' and in 'the wrong place' – and worries about the impact it will have on the local landscape.
The proposal is currently at the examination stage where representations are being submitted.
The final decision will be made by Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, because Botley West is classified as a nationally significant infrastructure project.
The King is yet to respond to the group's letter.
