February 18, 2011
England

Energy firm pulls out

Morpeth Herald, www.morpethherald.co.uk 18 February 2011

A wind farm company has confirmed that it is no longer pursuing a site near Morpeth.

Novera Energy, which is part of the Infinis Group, had sought permission to erect four 101metre high turbines at Todd Hill in the Northumberland countryside.

The application was rejected by Northumberland County Council’s Planning and Environment Committee last April, against officers’ advice, after members heard concerns about its proposed siting on green belt land.

A formal notice of refusal was issued in June, giving six months for the company to appeal.

But Novera has not taken further action and the company has now said it is more interested in progressing other Northumberland sites.

Spokesman Stephen Hannay said: “The company has decided to give priority to two of our other Northumberland wind farm sites at Wingates and Widdrington, which offer greater potential.”

The Todd Hill application faced strong opposition from local residents, businesses and six parish councils, who argued that it was inappropriate for the green belt, was too big and too close to people’s homes.

There were also concerns about the impact on the landscape, tourism, noise, health and wildlife.

A total of 182 letters of objection were written, along with 55 letters of support.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/18/energy-firm-pulls-out/