North-east onshore wind plan moves on

Nov 2 2009 by Kelley Price, Evening Gazette

PLANS have been submitted for one of the North-east’s largest onshore wind farms.

Up to 10 turbines could be built if the development, north-east of Darlington, goes ahead, producing enough green electricity to power 11,500 homes and make a serious dent in the region’s renewables targets.

The North-east is the second worst-performing English region for onshore wind - and is falling woefully short of a 2010 target set by the North-east Regional Assembly.

Just 175 megawatts (MWs) of onshore wind power has been installed, compared to a target of 454MWs, and there is now little chance of catching up.

Green experts say the region could have been on track to achieving its goals if projects had been approved in a suitable timeframe, while earlier this month, John Prescott vented his anger at “nimbyism” and successful protests by landowners that are too concerned with turbines spoiling their “chocolate box” views.

Speaking at the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) annual conference, the former deputy PM said around 75% of applications are turned down - with vehement anti-turbine protests by residents being one of the main reasons.

However Stuart Provan, senior development planner for Banks Developments - the company behind Darlington’s Moor House scheme - said the company understood people’s concerns.