Landowner angers Wingates wind farm protesters

Jul 25 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

ALANDOWNER who has offered to host controversial wind turbines last night angered objectors by claiming they would “grow to like them”.

Bryn Dowson, regional director of sustainable transport charity Sustrans, has agreed to house three turbines on his land at Wingates, near Rothbury, in Northumberland.

The proposal has come from developer Novera Energy which is seeking to put up six of the engines.

An application was lodged with Northumberland County Council last December. Opposition to the proposal is being led by the action group Wingates Not Wind Farms, which has amassed a petition of 186 names.

Yet Mr Dowson, 42, of Windylaw Farm, last night insisted his neighbours would either have to accept the turbines, claiming they will become an important part of Northumberland’s landscape, or grow to like them – which he said he believed would happen.

The father of three also questioned whether local people would rather see a nuclear power station.

While accepting most people in Wingates are opposed to the development, Mr Dowson also suggested there are those in the community who support the scheme but are objecting due to peer pressure.

Mr Dowson’s comments have angered Tom Pape, chairman of the action group, who last night claimed he was alienating the community.

Mr Pape also accused the landowner of only being involved in the project for financial gain – a suggestion Mr Dowson denied.

He told The Journal: “It is unfortunate that these sites have been chosen for those that do not like them.

“It has to happen and it has to happen somewhere in Northumberland.