Wind turbines threaten to swamp North East

Jan 14 2010 by Neil McKay, The Journal

CIVIC bosses have come close to admitting they have been guilty of “swamping” parts of the North with wind turbines to tackle climate change.

Next week Durham County Councillors will discuss two new reports which shed light on the suitability of areas within the county, capable of accommodating wind turbines.

The documents assess the impact of further wind turbines on the landscape in parts of County Durham and the Tees Valley and their potential for further wind energy development. They were commissioned by the Association of North East Councils and show there is only limited capacity following significant early turbine development over the past 10 years.

Dozens of turbines have been installed in fields surrounding Tow Law and the neighbouring villages of Satley and Cornsay, and also on land on the outskirts of Sedgefield close to the exclusive Wynyard housing estate.

Meanwhile, people living close to Hamsterley Forest, and also in the picturesque hamlet of Bolam, near West Auckland, have pledged to fight planned turbines.

Stuart Timmiss, Head of Planning with Durham County Council, said: “Durham County Council is fully committed to being seen as an exemplar in the renewable energy field but also recognises the impact wind turbines can have in sensitive landscape areas and continues to explore other ways of maximising the potential of renewables in the county.”

Councillor Neil Foster, the County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning said: “County Durham has been at the forefront of wind generated electricity over many years to a point where some areas are now considered to capacity.