SOMETIMES nothing anybody does is right. Whether we change what we do or stop altogether, often the original complaint simply morphs into a new one and the whole cycle reboots.

And while yes, normally we can ignore the complaints, there does come a time when all this complaining has to stop - and listening starts.

That’s why I am going to talk about wind turbines. I have, in the past, written three columns on this subject. It has been fiery.

It has raised debate in what turns out is a very emotive, very polarised subject – and I can understand that. I have, after writing on the topic, had many an in-depth conversation with friends and neighbours and it has given me more insight into people’s thoughts on the pros and cons of the alternative energy source.

But there’s a problem. You see, it was reported last week that a wind turbine could be erected close to the area of a previously rejected wind turbine project in Oldbury.

The new plans are for a 77-metre turbine at Pound House Farm in Thornbury – this is roughly two miles from the site in Stoneyard Lane where developers originally wanted to build four 127-metre high wind turbines. They lost on appeal in 2012 when Rockhampton councillors and Oldbury and Hill members protested that the scheme would destroy their area's character, causing immeasurable long-term harm.

Now, while I do not agree with their reasons, four 127-metre turbines are reasonably high. So it’s great that the new proposal is for a smaller development – just 77-metres of turbine.

So smaller - that’s better, right? Wrong. "Although it is much smaller than the Stoneyard Lane wind farm, in some ways it will be more visible because it will be stuck up the top of the hill," said the Rockhampton Parish chairman.

And it is here I drop my head into my hands. Because, even though the wind turbines are smaller, that’s still not good enough for the Parish. And not only that, but the Parish chairman believes they will be more visible.

More? This is ludicrous. We need alternative energy. We can’t, as a community, go on stomping all over every wind turbine proposal, demanding our own way based on aesthetics alone.

So when people try to compromise we should listen. That much we owe. Because if not, what sort of world are we living in?