Wind farm bids rejected

Mar 28 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

COUNCILLORS yesterday overwhelmingly rejected three proposals for wind farms in Northumberland.

Berwick Borough Council’s planning committee came out against applications for turbines at Barmoor, Moorsyde and Toft Hill at the climax of an all-day meeting at the town’s Maltings Theatre.

The committee voted by eight to one to reject Force 9 Energy and Catamount Energy’s six turbine Barmoor scheme and Your Energy’s seven turbine Moorsyde proposal, although officers had recommended both for approval.

Councillors also voted against npower renewables’ seven-turbine Toft Hill project, in line with officers’ recommendations.

A crowd of about 300 objectors and supporters had turned out and the decisions drew loud applause and cheers.

Councillors felt the turbines would dominate a landscape which features the Cheviot Hills, Holy Island and Duddo Standing Stones in a way which could not be mitigated.

And they shared objectors’ concerns that wind farms should not be erected in an area which houses the famous Flodden battlefield, where England and Scotland clashed in the 16th Century.

Coun David Wilson said: “I think the history, the archeology, the unspoilt landscape are major, major factors in our main tourism industry and we in this area live on tourism. It is our main income and we must be seen to protect that income.”

Coun Forbes Grant said: “It would be very disastrous if we had these wind farms associated with this part of north Northumberland.

“We are classed as the secret kingdom, we have a lot to give to Northumberland in tourism and there is a lot to see for a lot of people that have not yet seen it.”

Speaking after the meeting, objectors expressed their elation at the decisions, but said they expected the applicants to appeal.

Andrew Joicey, of the Anti-Barmoor Save our Unspoilt Landscape group, said: “I am delighted with the result that we have been hoping for, a decisive turn down of the three applications which for many years we have been fighting because we have known they were blatantly inappropriate in the setting for which they were proposed.

“We know the developers will appeal and that will lead to public inquiry which will be the next stage.”

Mike Maud, chairman of the Moorsyde Action Group, said: “I am absolutely delighted, it has been a long hard three and a half years.

“It is probably just stage one, but at least we have got that far.”

Applicants reacted with a mix of anger and disappointment, and confirmed objectors’ fears over appeals.

David Butterworth, managing director of Force 9 Energy, said: “I am very disappointed that the planning committee ignored the professional advice of the planners. I have never seen such a spineless performance by a group of people who are clearly more interested in their own self interest.

“Obviously we will appeal the decision and fully expect to win.”

Robert Warren, of npower renewables, said: “We will go away and consider the views of the committee and decide how we act.

“There is obviously the option of appealing, but it is too early to say whether npower would do that.”

Richard Mardon, managing director of Your Energy, refused to comment.

It was announced at yesterday’s meeting that the Government Office North East will not “call in” the applications and will allow the council decision to stand – though appeals could still come in from the wind power companies.