February 15, 2012
England

Green light for turbine schemes

by Helen Millichamp, The Berwick Advertiser, www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk 15 February 2012

Three proposals for single wind turbines on farmland in north Northumberland were given the green light last week.

Planners’ recommendations to approve schemes at Ford, Haggerston and Wark were backed by members of the county council’s north area planning committee on Thursday night.

The plans at Ford, which will see 47.1m to blade tip turbine built at Brackenside Farm, was deferred from January’s meeting because of a ‘significant’ number of objections which had not been included in agenda papers.

They focused on the proximity of the scheme to an already proposed six-turbine wind farm at Barmoor, and the cumulative impact it will have on the area as well as its height and affect on the area.

Speaking in objection, Dr John Ferguson told the committee that a ruling had been made that there were to be no turbines at the Barmoor Ridge on Brackenside land after three which were previously included in the bigger scheme were refused.

“What was the point in four years work that we did for that if they reinstate a turbine to the very area from which they were removed,” he said. “The three turbines were removed from the application at the request of the local authority.”

He added that the applicant, George Barber, also had plans for more turbines on the land.

But he disputed this and added: “I feel that this application will have a positive impact and will show what is possible. It is still one of the most beautiful areas in the county and it has been upheld that this turbine will not obstruct the landscape.

“If I believed it was going to have a negative effect I wouldn’t be doing it.”

Coun Dougie Watkin said he would be happier if the turbine was closer to farm buildings.

Coun Anthony Murray added: “The height of the turbine and its location are in an acceptable part of the area. I don’t think it is going to be greatly harmful to the ambience of the area.”

The proposal, which has a 100kw capacity, would be located approximately 20m north of the main farm buildings. It would feed electricity directly into the farm buildings through an underground cable connection with any surplus energy feeding directly into the existing power lines.

The Haggerston scheme, for a 34.2m to blade tip turbine at New Haggerston Farm House, received only two objections citing concerns about the impact on the landscape character of the area. However, it was given unanimous approval by the committee.

Speaking at the meeting Joan Thomas said that the turbine would be four times higher than the Angel of the North on an already high point in the land.

“It will be visible from many villagers and places such as Flodden field a designated open air museum and Wark Castle on of the most important sights in England,” she said.

“It seems that all sense of planning balance has disappeared. It is quite simply out of scale out of place and out of character in this pretty landscape setting.”

Applicant, Peter Straker-Smith said he had come to the proposal with considerable scepticism and great care.

Coun Watkin also had concerns about the plans, stating that a condition of approval was to have a red light on top of the turbine meaning it would be seen from miles around at night time.

Coun Murray said that raptors lived in the area and could be affected by the turbine but a majority of councillors approved the plans.