Wind farm protest signs have been stolen, claim villagers
Villagers who put up protest banners as part of a campaign against wind farms claim the signs have been stolen.
Early site tests have been taking place in countryside between Darlington and Stockton to see if the area is suitable for the turbines.
As many as ten masts could be built between Barmpton and Brafferton, and site tests for a separate scheme with 12 turbines have taken place at nearby West Newbiggin.
If firm planning applications are submitted, it is thought the turbines could measure up to 125m in height.
A group of local villagers – known as Seven Parishes Action Group – has been organised to fight the plans.
Members made more than 100 protest signs to urge residents to oppose the schemes. The placards were nailed to trees and lampposts next to roads around the villages.
Peter Wood, the group’s chairman, said the signs have been disappearing one by one during the summer.
“Perhaps it’s a sign that we’re winning our campaign,” he said.
“The signs are sturdy so they haven’t blown away – they’ve been stolen, usually in the dead of night. We must be getting under the skins of the people who support wind farms.
“These of course are the people who don’t mind seeing their countryside turned into a light industrial estate. Perhaps they’re looking forward to the noise and light flicker. They want the value of their homes to plummet.”
Among the protestors is former TV presenter Paul Frost, who lives in Bishopton village. The ex-Tyne Tees news anchor joined the campaign earlier this year and vowed to fight “tooth and nail” to stop the wind farms from being built.
He said last night that the group has commissioned a further 100 signs, to be erected over the weekend.
Energy firms Pure Renewable Energy and Banks Developments are behind the wind farm plans.
The companies say the schemes are crucial if the Tees Valley is to meet renewable energy targets.
By Neil Macfarlane
30 August 2008
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