January 25, 2002
England
England
Campaigners battling plans to erect three 300 feet high wind turbines on Rimside Moor claim they are dangerous and should be rejected on safety reasons.
Homeowners who live within 500 yards of the site of the proposed turbines, close to New Moor House crossroads, say there is evidence that the machines are unsafe.
They point to accidents across the world where blades have been damaged and where turbine towers have collapsed.
Protester Graeme Wyld said: “They are visible from the road and could make an accident blackspot even worse.
“The more we look into the subject the more frightening it becomes.
“We were not consulted about them and it is an issue of intrusion into the countryside.”
He said the turbines could have a knock-on effect in regard to tourism, noise, visual intrusion and the departure of rare bird species in the area.
He said: “If people go past on the road they get the noise as they go past, we will be here and get it 24 hours a day.
“People come to this area for peace and quiet and with the turbines they will not be able to get it here.”
He added that between £2-3 million could be lost if tourists stopped coming to the area because of the turbines.
Mr Wyld is also concerned that if this plan for three turbines is approved, then more could appear in the area in future years.
The protestors have approached the RSPB, the National Trust, English Nature, local residents and parish councils in their bid to halt the development.
A planning application has been entered with Alnwick District Council for the turbines’ erection on land at Wandysteads Farm, although the council said it was unlikely to be heard before March.
The campaigners are planning to speak at the development meeting and have handed out leaflets against the proposal around the Edlingham, Glanton and Rothbury areas.
Margaret Sircus, the owner of the land in question, refused to comment on the plan.
25 January 2002
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2002/01/25/bitter-row-blows-up-over-300ft-high-wind-turbines/