March 28, 2013
England

Block turbines proposal call

Peterlee Star | 28 March 2013 | www.peterleestar.co.uk

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson has handed in a 156-name petition calling for the Government to block a planned five-turbine wind farm.

The Labour MP presented the petition to the House of Commons and raised concerns about the cumulative impact of County Durham having too many wind farms, including 17 operational wind farms, a further six with planning permission and 13 others in the planning process awaiting decision.

Council bosses are now tightening up their policy.

Energy firm Infinis’ planned Wingate Grange wind farm includes turbines with a maximum height of 345ft at the site, to the west of Wingate, south-east of Wheatley Hill, north of Deaf Hill and south of the A181.

Mr Wilson told the Star there would be a significant impact on residents in Office Street, Wheatley Hill, which already has nine wind turbines at the back of resident’s homes.

Mike Allum, Durham County Council’s spatial policy manager, said: “A study of the area by consultants ARUP concluded that it had limited capacity for further development and the county council has endorsed those findings. In considering planning applications for new development in the area the council will need to have regard to both the wider benefits of renewable energy and potential cumulative impacts on the local landscape.”Infinis was unavailable for comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/28/block-turbines-proposal-call/