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)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

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

Experts gather to discuss impact of North wind farms 

Credit:  by David Black, The Journal, www.journallive.co.uk 6 September 2010 ~~

Experts will come together today for a major conference on how to ensure that the drive to produce more renewable energy doesn’t harm Northumberland’s historic assets and environment.

Archaeologists, historic buildings experts, heritage advisers and planning consultants from across the UK and Ireland will be among those gathering for the one-day forum at Newcastle University.

It has been organised by Northumberland County Council to debate the potential impact on historic sites and buildings of the ever-increasing pressure to build more giant wind turbines on the county’s rugged moorlands and fells.

All 150 places have been snapped up at the event, which will also bring together wind energy developers and planning officers.

Northumberland has been the focus for a number of battles in recent years between wind farm developers and local communities opposed to the erection of giant turbines.

In some cases, the impacts of the structures on archaeological sites and centuries-old buildings such as churches have been crucial elements of the debates.

A number of wind energy schemes are currently in the pipeline for the North East with the UK committed to sourcing 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

Experts say wind farms have the potential to harm both the fabric and setting of historic assets, unless careful consideration is given to their location, scale and layout at the design stage.

It is sponsored by Hexham-based Vattenfall Wind Power, Novera Energy and Wessex Archaeology, and will hear from professionals working in the sector.

Organisations represented include English Heritage and Historic Scotland.

Yesterday Coun Dougie Watkin, who will be representing Northumberland County Council, said: “It will become more important than ever to ensure that developers, landowners and planning authorities work together to ensure developments are sensitively designed to avoid unnecessary impact on our historical and archaeological heritage.

“The county council’s lead role in this conference is very pertinent as the pressure to accommodate onshore renewable energy has been keenly felt in Northumberland.

“Since 2005, at least nine wind farm applications have triggered concerns relating to the historic environment, and two schemes have been refused due to their impact on historic monuments.”

Ian Haynes, professor of archaeology at Newcastle University, said: “In looking ahead to the development of sustainable energy we must also look to respect the often fragile remains of our past. Research into the impact of wind farms will help ensure that we serve both our common future and our shared heritage.”

Colin Ormston, development director with Vattenfall Wind Power, said: “We are proud to co-sponsor this event. We feel it is an opportunity to discuss working towards a more consistent approach to archaeological considerations with respect to wind farm development.”

Source:  by David Black, The Journal, www.journallive.co.uk 6 September 2010

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 Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG 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