Inquiry looms for trio of wind farms
A David and Goliath-style battle is looming for early next year, when England’s second-smallest local authority takes on not one, but three, wind-farm developers at a public inquiry.
Npower, Catamount and Your Energy will all face Berwick Borough Council across the table, for respective developments at Toft Hill, Barmoor and Moorsyde.
A total of 20 turbines are proposed by the companies, which were all refused consent by the authority’s planning committee at a special meeting in March.
The applicants decided to appeal, however, and their chances of success have since been significantly bolstered by the granting of the Middlemoor wind farm near Alnwick in August.
In that case, the planning inspector ruled that landscape, tourism and heritage concerns at the site were all superseded by the need for renewable energy.
The gravity of the Middlemoor decision also forced the borough to withdraw its objections at last month’s inquiry into 10 turbines at neighbouring Wandylaw.
But it will still have to pay in the region of £200,000 for legal representation, expert witnesses and specialist planning advice to fight the latest three developments.
In a report to councillors due to be considered at the authority’s policy committee on Wednesday, officers are recommending they agree to set aside the war-chest from their budget.
It states: “The committee has previously been advised about the financial implications to the authority arising out of the appeals process, but has not yet identified any resources to commission counsel and an expert witness team to present the council’s case.
The Planning Inspectorate estimates that the inquiry will last for 16 days.
Local objectors and pressure groups including Save Our Unspoiled Landscape (Soul), which is against Barmoor, and Moorsyde Action Group, are expected to make representations.
The borough council is set to reject a proposed start date of February 10, saying it will not leave enough time to prepare its case.
By Robert Brooks
2 October 2008
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Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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