A NEW wind farm scheme will aim to kick-start a £200m tourism and leisure project which its backers claim could create hundreds of jobs and bring a massive economic boost to Northumberland.
Renewables company Peel Energy has submitted a planning application to build 13 turbines – each up to 126 metres high – near the village of Widdrington, north of Morpeth.
The 39 megawatt installation is seen as the catalyst for driving forward the ambitious Blue Sky Forest project, which involves developing 2,500 acres of land at the restored Stobswood, Maidens Hall and Steadsburn opencast mines.
If approved, the 13 turbines will be the first infrastructure to be built on the site since the vision was first put forward by the local Widdrington Regeneration Partnership (WRP) almost a decade ago.
Blue Sky Forest – which is backed by opencast operator UK Coal and a number of other potential developers – has the potential to create 800 to 1,000 jobs, according to its supporters. It envisages an international-standard golf course and golf academy, a sports academy to nurture young talent, an Olympic-size swimming pool, an outdoor adventure centre, children’s activity centre and an artificial ski slope.
There would also be a holiday village, equine facilities, a 4x4 driving experience, a 300-bed hotel and conference centre, shops and restaurants and man-made lakes for sport and recreation.
Peel Energy has applied to the county council for permission for the 13 turbines, which are regarded as a vital green component of the wider scheme, and would help provide its energy needs.
Yesterday David Towns, who represents the Widdrington area on the council, said he was convinced that the WRP and UK Coal were dedicated to making the Blue Sky Forest vision a reality. “From what I have heard and seen it seems a very serious proposal. There have been some suggestions it might not be financially viable in the current economic climate, but I’m told it is.
“I have thought all along that such a big project would need an element of renewable energy, but what Peel Energy are proposing will not be a traditional wind farm with the turbines clustered together. Instead they will be spaced out around the development site.
“If this wind farm helps deliver such a big scheme for Northumberland, which could produce 800 jobs, that can only be a good thing. I am confident the turbines are part of a larger plan for that area, and not just a convenient excuse for another wind farm.”
Peel Energy says the wind farm is the first phase of Blue Sky Forest and will “lay the foundations” for the rest by installing infrastructure such as roads and electricity which could be used by other partners.
Development manager, Patrick Keogh, said yesterday: “We believe the wind farm will act as a catalyst for the wider Blue Sky Forest scheme and a substantial contributor to the development’s renewable energy provision.”
Eddie Peat, from UK Coal subsidiary Harworth Estates, said: “We are very pleased that this first application is being made under the Blue Sky Forest vision. This is probably one of the best examples of restoration projects, made possible by working closely with the community to bring about long term economic benefit.”
