January 20, 2011
England

Scale of wind farm is reduced

News Post Leader, www.newspostleader.co.uk 20 January 2011

Villagers who voiced concerns about a proposed wind farm have persuaded the developer to reduce its scale.

Novera Energy has dropped one turbine from its Sisters project at Widdrington and will now seek permission for four.

If approved, they will be up to 126m tall instead of 140m.

The company, part of the Infinis group, will apply for consent in the spring for a site at Widdrington Farm.

Now it is to stage a second round of public exhibitions, on Thursday, January 27, and Friday, January 28.

Infinis also intends to set up a community liaison group involving parish council representatives and other groups to keep people informed of the progress of the planning application and to discuss the community benefits fund that will be established if the plan is approved by Northumberland County Council.

Project director Susannah Side (SIDE) said: “We are looking forward to meeting local residents again at the exhibitions and sharing with them our revised plans for the site.

“We are also keen to hear about local projects that may be suitable for support from the community trust fund.

“Ideas that have already been suggested to us include support for a community turbine project and improved broadband access in the local area.”

The exhibitions are on Thursday, January 27, at Widdrington Station ATAC (Area Training Activity Centre) and the next day at Widdrington Women’s Institute Hall between 4pm and 8pm each day.

Infinis already has 137 operating sites throughout the country with a total generating capacity of 438MW.

Last year it produced ten per cent of the UK’s renewable power.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/20/scale-of-wind-farm-is-reduced/