Longhirst villagers lose fight over wind mast

Jan 7 2010 The Journal

A WIND monitoring mast will be in place on land near Longhirst, north of Morpeth for a further three years, despite protests.

Northumberland County Council have given planning permission for the mast on land near Longhirst, north of Morpeth, to stay for a further 36 months. The mast is a precursor to a possible planning application to build nine wind turbines – each 125m tall – at the Butterwell Farm site.

Green energy company RES UK was given the go-ahead to put up the 80m anemometer mast on appeal in 2006, despite objections from local residents and parish councillors. The permission has now expired and the company sought approval from the council to retain the mast until 2013.

The bid was opposed by both Longhirst and Hebron parish councils and two local people, who question the need for the mast, have fears over its impact on the landscape and wildlife and are against a wind farm being built in the area. However, council officers recommended members of the authority’s planning and environment committee approve the application. And councillors voted in line with that advice.

Last year another green power company, Novera Energy, held public exhibitions of its plans to build six turbines near Longhirst – sparking local fears that 15 of the structures could eventually go up.