LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME


[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]

Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

Get weekly updates
RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Stripe

Donate via Paypal

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Drugs firm to challenge airport on turbine risk 

A drugs company is challenging a council decision that it cannot erect two huge wind turbines to cut energy bills at its factory in Northumberland.

Merck Sharp and Dohme, which employs 400 people at Cramlington, wants the 130m windmills to generate its own renewable power, halve electricity costs and help safeguard jobs

Neighbouring pharmaceutical company Aesica also wanted permission for two 110m turbines at its 165-job Cramlington plant for the same reasons.

Both applications were rejected by Blyth Valley Council more than a year ago, after objections from Newcastle Airport, which said the turbines could interfere with its air traffic control radar and threaten aircraft safety.

Now MSD has appealed against the council’s decision and a local inquiry will be held in July, when the aviation safety fears will be examined by a Government-appointed planning inspector. Aesica also lodged an appeal but later withdrew it and is now awaiting the outcome of the MSD appeal before deciding whether to try again.

Aesica first applied in 2006 for permission to erect the turbines in an effort to reduce its £407,000 annual energy bill by 40% and help safeguard the jobs of its workers. It was later joined by MSD, which develops and markets lifesaving medicines at its Cramlington plant and says the two turbines could meet 50% of its electricity needs.

In February last year, Blyth Valley councillors rejected both applications, saying the two companies had been unable to overcome the safety fears raised by the airport. Yesterday, head of planning and corporate affairs at Newcastle International Airport Graeme Mason said: “We are still in dialogue with MSD in the hope that we can find a resolution, because we are aware that there are a number of factories in the region considering wind turbines to reduce their energy costs.

“However, as statutory consultees, the only factors we can take into account are the impact of turbines on the radars, airport operations and safety. That is why we are opposing the Cramlington application.”

Aesica Pharmaceuticals’ Cramlington site director Steve Barker said: “We did appeal the council’s decision, but then withdrew it.

“We are now waiting to see what happens with MSD next door and will then review the situation. We are still keen to erect the two turbines to reduce our energy costs.”

A spokeswoman for MSD confirmed that a local hearing into its appeal against the council’s decision is scheduled for July 15.

By Dave Black

The Journal

25 April 2008

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions
   Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)
Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI M TG TS G Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook Wind Watch on Linked In

Wind Watch on Mastodon Wind Watch on Truth Social

Wind Watch on Gab Wind Watch on Bluesky