December 1, 2013
England

Opposition to plans for second windfarm in village

Northumberland Gazette | 1 December 2013 | www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk

Villagers facing a planning application for a second windfarm near to their homes expressed their objections at a public exhibition on Saturday.

In September, the Gazette reported that Air Farmers Ltd, which unveiled its proposals for Midlleton Burn – 16 turbines up to 125metres high on land north-west of Belford – in October 2011, was now gearing up for a planning application.

And on Saturday, the firm held a public exhibition in the village’s Ferguson Hall to showcase the scheme, which now consists of 14 turbines.

It came just two days after the parish council voted to object to an application from Energiekontor UK for a nine-turbine windfarm on the adjacent Belford Burn site.

Middleton Burn Action Group, which is fighting both schemes, held an exit poll on Saturday, which saw 95 per cent against the proposals.

A spokesman said: “This was the fifth exit poll we have conducted at such exhibitions/public meetings and yet again, the people of this community have shown their outrage at these disgusting proposals.

“It is time the county council refuses to accept any further planning applications for industrial turbines in this county.

l A minority stake in a north Northumberland windfarm has been sold by the developers. Last week, RWE Innogy confirmed the sale of a 49 per cent share in the Middlemoor windfarm to Greencoat UK Wind plc.

But RWE Innogy remains the majority owner and continues to operate and maintain the turbines.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/01/opposition-to-plans-for-second-windfarm-in-village/