January 27, 2013
England

Council joins battle against turbines

Morpeth Herald | 27 January 2013 | www.morpethherald.co.uk

The fight against a proposed windfarm on the edge of Morpeth has been joined by another local authority.

Stannington Parish Council has submitted a series of objections to plans by Wind Ventures for four turbines up to 126metres-to-tip height on the former Tranwell Airfield.

Its members intend to deliver leaflets outlining why it is opposing the scheme to the 533 households within the parish.

Residents associations in Clifton, St Mary’s, Stannington Station and Netherton Park will also be asked to comment.

The project has already been criticised by Whalton Parish Council and county councillor Eileen Armstrong. The site is in her Ponteland East ward.

Karen Carins, Chairwoman of Stannington Parish Council, said: “Our main objections are that a development of this nature would be taking place within the proposed green belt and there would-be destruction of the landscape, unacceptable noise levels and health and safety issues.

“The turbines are about six times the size of the Angel of the North, do not fit with the grain of the land and do not fit into the rolling lowland farmland. They will threaten the rural setting of St Mary’s, Tranwell, Stannington, Whalton, Mitford, Clifton, Glororum, Stannington Station and many more small settlements.

“The residents directly affected will have to suffer an unacceptable and significant visual impact to their surroundings.

“Northumberland already has 300MW of consented turbines (over 100MW more than the electricity we consume) and as such we have achieved our county’s green targets and must protect the landscape.”

“We have had considerable support and advice from Dr James Lunn, who championed the fight against the windfarm at Fenrother. Other enthusiastic objectors include Lord Ridley, Coun Armstrong and Guy Opperman MP.

“We’re not demanding that residents have to object to the proposal, the leaflets are going out to make sure they are aware of it. Then they can decide whether to put forward their views to the county council.”

Wind Ventures believes that the former airfield site is a good location for turbines and says the windfarm would help to meet Northumberland’s renewable energy targets, boost the local economy and provide funds for communities.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/27/council-joins-battle-against-turbines/