Surprise U-Turn on Wind Farm

Surprise U-Turn on Wind Farm

Jun 05 - The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

The future of wind farms in the North-East came under scrutiny again last night after councillors made a U-turn over a proposal in County Durham.

The controversial siting of two 107-metre masts at Stanley Moss, between Crook and Tow Law, was expected to be given the go-ahead after planners at Wear Valley recommended their approval.

But members of Wear Valley District Council's Development Control Committee ruled against the proposals by developer Amec and landowner The Banks Group on Thursday night.

People from the hamlets of Stanley, Crook and Sunniside, near Tow Law, turned out in force for the meeting at Crook Civic Centre to protest against the turbines, which they said would be too near their homes.

Caroline Robinson, on behalf of the residents, urged the committee to refuse the plans, saying they would be detrimental to the quality of life for people nearby. She said villagers feared for their health because of low frequency noise, and that sun glinting off the blades could affect epilepsy sufferers.

Councillors backed protesters, saying they felt there were too many "unanswered questions" for the wind farm to be approved.

But last night a joint statement from the Banks Group and Amec said: "We are questioning the decision by Wear Valley District Council and its implications on the North-East's ability to hit its renewable energy targets.

"Contrary to the planning officers' recommendation for approval, council members refused to grant planning permission for a joint venture scheme by two companies to build two turbines near Sunniside in Crook.

"The developers are worried that a refusal on visual impact grounds means that there is no possibility for the future development of wind turbines in this area, which has been identified as an area for wind farm development in the North-East Renewable Energy Strategy."

Phil Dyke, director of renewable energy at Banks, said: "This is not only a real disappointment to ourselves and Amec, but also for renewable energy in the North-East.

"Any wind turbine in this area would be visible and it is a personal view as to whether that visual impact is positive or negative.

"So, if wind energy development is not an option in the Wear Valley area, it will cause a real problem for the region to meet its targets."

Although the Banks Group and Amec are awaiting formal confirmation of the reasons by councillors for their refusal decision before deciding whether to appeal, a public inquiry appears inevitable.

But Wear Valley District Councillor Ron Grogan, from Tow Law, said: "We appreciate that we are going to need some sort of energy for the generations to come, but I am not happy that there are so many unanswered questions."

Developers also want to build turbines at nearby Oakenshaw and Broom Hill in the same area of south-west Durham, while a wind farm is already in place on the outskirts of Tow Law.

For far more extensive news on the energy/power visit: http://www.energycentral.com .