March 27, 2012
England

Plan for controversial East Cleveland windfarm is dropped

by Mike Blackburn, Evening Gazette, www.gazettelive.co.uk 27 March 2012

Controversial plans for a windfarm in East Cleveland have been withdrawn in the face of public opposition.

Renewable energy firm Infinis last night confirmed it will cease plans to develop the Beacon Moor site, between New Marske and Upleatham.

The company wanted to construct four 120m high wind turbines along the moor, and had already installed a 60m mast to monitor wind conditions.

Redcar MP Ian Swales, who supported a campaign against the scheme, said Infinis had confirmed to him it would not be proceeding.

The Liberal Democrat MP had opposed the development on the grounds it was too close to residents’ homes, and worked with local councillor Victoria Reyer and residents’ groups to oppose the development, raising the issue in Westminster.

“This is great news for the residents of Marske, New Marske and Upleatham who could have been badly affected by the development,” he said. “Although I strongly support wind power and renewable energy, this was simply the wrong location – it is too close to people’s houses and too prominent in a precious green area.”

Mr Swales said that Infinis reported to him that, although the elevated position of Beacon Moor made it an excellent site for generating energy from wind, community consultation and scrutiny had helped the firm to understand the site’s constraints and influenced its decision.

Rab Telfer, spokesman for Upleatham Action Group, said: “This news comes as a bit of a surprise but we are absolutely delighted.

“Every single person in Upleatham Village was against this. We had a very persuasive set of arguments.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/27/plan-for-controversial-east-cleveland-windfarm-is-dropped/