Tag: Marco Cereste

Another Financial Disaster For Peterborough Council

07:20 Wednesday 27th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: City Council officials have admitted that the solar panel project on the old Freemans building in Peterborough isn’t working, and the Council still doesn’t know what’s wrong with it. Peterborough City Council borrowed just under a million pounds so they could fit these panels on the former factory in Westwood Peterborough, but the panels have never actually worked, since being installed, and the Council chiefs have been unable to say when it will be fixed. Well Johnny D. is at the site of the building this morning. Continue reading “Another Financial Disaster For Peterborough Council”

Peterborough For Sale

08:16 Monday 18th February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

(MUSIC: ANY OLD IRON)

PAUL STAINTON: If you live in the North of the county you might have to start learning Cockney. Bridge Street, wreck your feet says David Bailey. Grin and bear, Cathedral; Square says Catherine. It’s always closed – it’s the bish bash bosh, the Whittlesea Wash. You get the idea, a bit of Cockney. Well Peterborough’s MP has slammed plans that would allow a London borough to build houses in Peterborough. The City Council is in talks with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The idea is that it might help young Londoners get on the housing ladder. Marco Cereste joins us now. Morning.
MARCO CERESTE: Hello Paul.. How are you?
PAUL STAINTON: I’m .. I’m fine.
MARCO CERESTE: Good. Continue reading “Peterborough For Sale”

Transportation Of People – The Tale That Grew In The Telling

17:00 FRIDAY 15th February 2013
News BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

KERRY DEVINE: Leaders of the second richest local authority in the country reportedly want to buy land in Peterborough to build homes for people on its housing waiting list. The average price of a house in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is more than one and a half million pounds, while in Peterborough that figure is just over £160,000. Ben Stevenson has more. Continue reading “Transportation Of People – The Tale That Grew In The Telling”

Peterborough Council Withholds Data On Solar Panel Income As MEP Joins Critics

07:20 Friday 1st February 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: An East of England MEP has got himself embroiled in the solar farm row in Peterborough. He’s going to meet with local councillors and activists over plans to build this farm later. UKIP’s Stuart Agnew will meet activists as consultation closes on proposals for this 900 acre site. Peterborough City Council says the farm, which will be built on agricultural land, could make £100 million for taxpayers. But Stuart Agnew the MEP says the proposal is heavily reliant on subsidies. Continue reading “Peterborough Council Withholds Data On Solar Panel Income As MEP Joins Critics”

Marco Cereste Solar Newborough Look East Interview

18:30 Wednesday 9th January 2013
BBC Look East

PRESENTER: Coming up in the next 30 minutes, divisions tonight over solar power. Critics say it’s a criminal waste of good farmland. This Council boss says it’s a money-spinner for taxpayers. (TAPE)
MARCO CERESTE: In these really difficult times, initiatives that councils can come up with which will create income means that the taxpayer doesn’t have to put his or her hand in her pocket. .. (LIVE)
PRESENTER: Hello. The development of renewable energy in the region hit a big snag today, when council bosses clashed with farmers over plans for a large scale solar power plant in the countryside.
AMELIA REYNOLDS: The controversy blew up in Peterborough, where the Council has earmarked open land on the outskirts of the city to build three solar farms. It claims the development will provide cheap energy for years to come, but opponents have described the move as a criminal waste of rich farmland. Continue reading “Marco Cereste Solar Newborough Look East Interview”

Peterborough Renewables – Leaked Email Points To Planning Panic Over Tariff Deadline

07:07 Wednesday 9th January 2013
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

[P]AUL STAINTON: There’s confusion this morning surrounding the consultation on plans to build solar panels on 900 acres of farmland near Peterborough, with claims that key documents are remaining undisclosed, and consultation dates are being changed. Around a dozen tenant farmers look to be affected, with some fearing they’ll lose their homes, but the City Council say they’re needed to make Peterborough energy self-sufficient. The public consultation into the plans closes on 1st February, but BBC Radio Cambridgeshire has seen a leaked email asking authorities and environmental bodies to give their views ahead of that deadline. It’s led local councillors and campaigners to believe the decision process is being rushed through, and isn’t fair and balanced. Continue reading “Peterborough Renewables – Leaked Email Points To Planning Panic Over Tariff Deadline”

Rash Promises and Public Money

08:30 Tuesday 16th October 2012
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: Now, let’s talk farming, because there’s a row going on in Newborough in Peterborough. Peterborough City Council last night met with farmers affected by the Council’s plans to build a renewable energy plant. The Council is looking at three sites for solar and windfarms at Newborough Farm, America Farm and Morris Farm, which would involve shifting out tenant farmers. Farmers used the Newborough Parish Council meeting last night to voice their concerns, and ask for answers to their questions. Let’s speak to Nick Harris. He’s a farmer in Borough Fen, and chaired the meeting last night. Did you get any answers? Continue reading “Rash Promises and Public Money”

Council Funds Feasibility Study For Peterborough Renewable Energy Park

08:08 Monday 8th October 2012
Bigger Breakfast Show
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

PAUL STAINTON: You’re wasting one of the most fertile pieces of land in the country. That’s what the National Farmers’ Union is condemning Peterborough City Council for. The authority is planning to use 3,000 acres of farmland for a renewable energy park, including wind farms and solar panels. The proposal would see the Council become an energy provider for the City and, it says, lead to lower council tax for all. But Peter Brewer (Group Secretary from the National Farmers’ Union) says no agricultural land should be taken out of production. (TAPE)
PETER BREWER: The land is very very productive. It’s grade one, grade two agricultural land, which is the best quality land you can get. It will produce significantly more crops per acre if you like, than other less productive land. I sympathise with Peterborough City Council in that they have a huge budget deficit. I’m not sure whether they have genuinely explored all options, and all the alternatives around, and if this is the most viable way of filling that deficit. (LIVE)..
PAUL STAINTON: Well let’s speak to Marco Cereste, Leader of Peterborough City Council. We’ve spoke about this before, and in principle I think a lot of people thought it was a great idea. But putting them on some of the most fantastic arable land in the country, is that a good idea? Continue reading “Council Funds Feasibility Study For Peterborough Renewable Energy Park”