Application 1 – Moorsyde
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Plans for a wind farm at Moorsyde were the first of the trio to be lodged.
Your Energy Ltd submitted an application to Berwick Borough Council in 2004 to build 14 turbines at the site seven miles south west of Berwick.
The proposals were reduced to 10 turbines in July 2006 and to the current number of seven in September last year.
No residential properties lie within the site although Shoreswood, Shoresdean, West Allerdean, Ancroft Northmoor, Ancroft Southmoor, Felkington and Grievestead neighbour the site.
Up to last week’s meeting, the council received 373 letters of objection on the grounds of visual impact on homes and it would ruin views of the Cheviots from the locality.
A 756-name petition organised by campaigners Moorsyde Action Group (MAG) was also sent to the council.
The authority received 445 letters of support. Of those, 377 were standard letters.
Officers said the plan should be given the green light because it is located within the south and west of Berwick “wind resource area” as identified in the Northumberland and National Park Joint Structure Plan and in the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy.
And they said it had the potential to make a significant contribution to the region’s targets for renewable energy production and said it would not give rise to any unacceptable adverse impacts on residential amenity.
Mike Maud, chairman of Moorsyde Action Group, said: “Please refuse this proposal on a range of planning grounds available and doing so send a clear message to other would-be developers that purely designed, purely located, purely scaled and purely evidenced applications will not be tolerated.”
Reg Watson, of Ancroft Southmoor, said if the wind farm was approved planned business development worth £2million would not go ahead.
Rod Martin, chairman of Shoreswood Parish Council, said: “We fear and believe that wind farms are like cancer cells, once established they spread – turbine tumours.
“These proposed turbines are colossal, they defy the skyline and seven of them are too many. We pray you will reject these proposals.”
Don Brownlow, of Duddo Parish Council, said there was opposition to the plans by more than 80 per cent of people living wit
hin 2.5km of the site.
Teacher Joe Lannon said the majority of sixth formers at Berwick High School, where he teaches, was in favour of win energy.
“This is a chance that should not be passed up,” he said.
Richard Mardon, managing director of applicants Your Energy Ltd, said the scheme would provide power for 7,000 households, 60 per cent of the Berwick borough.
He said: “Today could be a great day for Northumberland, a great day for Berwick borough and a great day for the world.
“Today this council can vote to be self-sufficient in renewable energy and stand head and shoulders above most other councils in the country.
“Today councillors can vote to displace 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere every year.
“Please use your public duty and social responsibility and support your officers’ recommendations and vote for this project today.”
By Jaclyn Curry
28 March 2008
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