Northumberland wind farm inquiry must be a ‘wake-up call’

May 7 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A PUBLIC inquiry into three wind farm proposals in Northumberland should be a ”wake-up call” to prove that not all projects are acceptable, its opening salvoes heard yesterday.

The hearing at Berwick is considering three bids from developers hoping to put a combined 20 turbines on sites near the town.

And Northumberland County Council, which is leading the opposition, landed the first blow of the inquiry in its opening submission.

Its barrister Paul Tucker told planning inspector Ruth McKenzie, sitting at the Maltings Theatre: “It is hoped that this inquiry will act as a wake-up call that wind farm applications should not be viewed as acceptable wherever they are proposed.

“The consequences of developments should not always be viewed as acceptable.

“They are put forward on parcels of land not because they are the best sites or because they have the least visual impact, rather because they are owned by someone who is happy to give their land to wind farm developers.

“It is considered that all three of these ill-conceived schemes are kicked into the long grass in the hope that other better considered schemes come forward.”

The inquiry is hearing appeals by the three companies which were refused planning permission by the now-defunct Berwick Borough Council last March.

Your Energy is seeking seven turbines at Moorsyde, Catamount Energy six at Barmoor and npower renewables seven at Toft Hill.