Big guns could quit moorland wind farm battle
Talks are being held which could result in the Ministry of Defence withdrawing its opposition to a proposed Northumberland wind farm.
The MoD is in discussions with RidgeWind Ltd, the company currently seeking permission at a public inquiry to erect 10 turbines at Wandylaw, Chathill, north of Alnwick.
The talks focus on whether a condition can be devised to satisfy MoD concern over the turbines’ effect on the air defence radar at nearby Brizlee Wood.
A condition was recently imposed in approval of a scheme at neighbouring Middlemoor, which also attracted MoD objections, requiring a means of mitigating the turbines’ effect on the radar to be found before the development can proceed.
Last night, a spokeswoman for Defence Estates said: “MoD is currently in discussion on this matter with the developer of the Wandylaw wind farm, RidgeWind Ltd. If we can agree a condition which is acceptable to us both and to the planning inspector, then we would be willing to withdraw our objection.
“However, if we fail to reach an agreement, we will maintain our objection and be putting our evidence to the inspector at the inquiry later this month.”
Objections to the Wandylaw plan have dwindled since the planning inspector’s findings at Middlemoor. That scheme had attracted identical objections.
But the inspector said only the air defence issue could prevent it going ahead, and gave approval subject to the condition, which the developer has five years to address.
Berwick Borough Council, which refused consent for the Wandylaw scheme last October, triggering the appeal and inquiry, has accordingly withdrawn its objections about effects on the landscape and tourism. It is maintaining opposition only on the basis of the MoD’s stance on air defence.
Objections on landscape and tourism grounds have been maintained by parish councils and campaign group Save Northumberland’s Environment.
The MoD is due to outline its opposition when the inquiry resumes at Berwick on October 21 after a break.
A borough council spokeswoman said: “The council does not have the expertise required to be able to comment on the MoD’s case regarding the proposed Wandylaw wind farm development.
“Therefore, if the other parties reach agreement on this matter and the Secretary of State recommends that a suitable planning condition is applied, the council will abide by that recommendation.”
RidgeWind Ltd declined to comment.
By Brian Daniel
4 October 2008
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