WIND farm development is a controversial subject, as we know only too well in these parts.

But today's report from the Sustainable Development Commission has got the general outlines of policy for harnessing wind power over the next few years just about right.

Most of us can agree on that. The inevitable falling out will occur when it is suggested that the turbines go up in our backyard rather than someone else's.

The debate takes place against a Government target of getting a tenth of UK electricity from renewable sources within the next five years, a fifth by 2020.

This is not an arbitrary diktat. In the long run fossil fuels like coal and oil will run out, perhaps the more immediate worry is the production of greenhouse gases and the resulting climate changes.

Commission chairman Jonathon Porritt makes a good case for wind power: the UK is blessed with wind resources more than adequate to meet our present renewable energy targets; we have no problems with the technology; and onshore wind is one of the cheapest forms of renewable energy.

The argument looks unanswerable, although undoubtedly there will be major battles ahead over the details.

And if you think that is tough, wait until the Government grasps the nettle over nuclear power, something it surely cannot put off for much longer.

Dental pain

MOST of us will have experienced severe toothache at some point in our lives. It is a pain that grabs all attention and demands instant relief.

So today's news on struggling dental services from the consumer group Which? makes disturbing reading.

A survey of 321 practices in England found that you had a chance of an emergency NHS appointment within 24 hours with only 8%.

Even if you were willing to go private as well you still had only a 49% chance of success.

Clearly there is something rotten in this part of the NHS at the moment. We hope the Government is first listening (as promised) and then will act.