Landowner angers Wingates wind farm protesters

Jul 25 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

“I think people will grow to like them and they will grow to be an important part of the Northumberland landscape in the future.

“I wonder how people would feel if they had a nuclear power station near to Morpeth or Wingates.

“Unfortunately those people that do not like them (turbines) will have to accept them or come to like them in the future which I expect will happen.

“I would imagine when you live in Wingates there are a small amount of people who support wind farms but it is like peer pressure.

“People are going along with the general consensus of the village.”

Mr Pape hit back: “He is going to make a heavy financial gain while the rest of the community suffer.

“The only people that benefit are the government and Novera and Bryn Dowson because they are the ones using us as a cash cow.

“He knows the general feeling. He is prepared to alienate the community which he is doing. He has upset most people in the village.

“The majority of the people who live in the area have said they do not agree with it and they do not want it.”

Mr Dowson denied the suggestion he is giving his land over for turbines simply to make money.

“The turbines have to go somewhere and if somebody wants to put turbines on my land I would expect to be paid.

“I am a landowner as well that has to generate income through my property.

“I am not in it (just) to generate an income, I am here to support renewable energy.”