March 1, 2015
England

Middleton Burn Action Group to fight all ‘inappropriate’ turbines

Berwick Advertiser | Sunday 01 March 2015 | www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk

The Middleton Burn Action Group (MBAG) has extended its remit to oppose any commercial wind turbine in north Northumberland.

The group, originally set up in 2011 to fight the proposed 14-turbine Middleton Burn development, agreed to amend its constitution at its fourth AGM on Friday.

It now stands to oppose the Middleton Burn Wind Farm proposal and “any other wind turbine proposal in the local area”, other than farm or residential turbines for self generation.

The change is in response to the submission of planning applications for various large, single turbines in the area, including at Adderstone Mains and South Charlton.

MBAG chairman Chris Craddock explained: “The group was initially set up to oppose the Middleton Burn proposal and constituted to fight that and ‘any other wind farm proposal in the local area’.

“However the developers now realise that any new proposals for multiple turbines would be very difficult and that it would seem easier to go for large ‘singletons’ on the local farms. This is now a growing threat that can be seen as you travel the A1.

“Planning is also now in for huge turbines at Adderstone Mains and South Charlton, mere yards from the main trunk road.”

He added: “The group are not against farm or residential turbines for self generation, only those that are clearly designed to generate huge cash subsidies rather than power!”

Mr Craddock’s report outlined the activities of the committee and members throughout the year and the successes they had brought.

The most notable of these, he said, was the unanimous refusal for the nine-turbine Belford Burn scheme, proposed by German firm EnegieKontor but refused by Northumberland County Council.

However, he warned, that the ‘battle’ was not yet over as Energiekontor still had time to appeal the decision or submit a revised application.

He also advised members to be on standby for early action should an application from Danish-owned Air Farmers Ltd for the Middleton Burn scheme, which had been expected early this year, be submitted.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/01/middleton-burn-action-group-to-fight-all-inappropriate-turbines/