Factory powers on in fight for turbine

Feb 24 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A TOWN’S biggest employer is set to find out whether it will be allowed to build a 200ft wind turbine.

Cumbrian Seafoods, which has a £100m turnover and employs 550 people, last night said erecting the mill was important to its future competitiveness.

The company has invested £15m in its factory at Seaham in County Durham, which opened two years ago after the company ran the rule over 19 possible sites.

It also took over the Border Laird seafood operation in Amble in Northumberland.

Today Easington councillors will decide on a bid by the company for the turbine, which would supply a quarter of the site’s energy needs.

Last year the company’s application for two turbines was rejected on the grounds of noise and “shadow flicker”.

The company says the turbine would assist the business in remaining competitive.

David Gilthorpe is deputy managing director at the Seaham plant on the Foxcover Business Park, once the site of Dawdon pit.

He said: “Energy costs are not going to come down in the long term and it is important that we look at environmentally-friendly ways of generating electricity.

“It is also important in terms of our green credentials and reducing our carbon footprint.

“We are at the forefront of the industry in sustainably sourcing fish and we want to do the same with energy.”

On the prospects of the turbine bid failing, Mr Gilthorpe said: “Now is not an easy economic environment to be working in and it would be a major blow in terms of our costs. We would have to examine our costs base.”

The company also employs 250 people in Cumbria but Seaham is its flagship factory.

The company has been backed by development agency East Durham Business Service, whose business support team leader Peter Rippingdale said yesterday: “The turbine will reduce the company’s costs at a time of volatility in the pricing of energy and at a time of recession.”

He said it would also demonstrate environmental credentials, especially to customers who are pushing suppliers to be environmentally sustainable.

“The company is a really significant employer and is in a very tough market,” said Mr Rippingdale.

Durham Heritage Coast has objected on the grounds that the turbine would be visible from the coast and would detract from its special character. Four other objection letters have also been received.

Planners are advising approval of the bid.