Inquiry into 60-turbine proposals

A public inquiry is under way into plans to erect 60 wind turbines in rural Northumberland.

Three planning applications have been submitted to construct wind farms in the Knowesgate area, near the A696.

The proposals have individually drawn objections from Tynedale Council, the Ministry of Defence and Newcastle International Airport.

Government planning inspector David Rose will chair the inquiry, due to last about nine weeks.

Amec Project Investments Ltd and Steadings Wind Farm Ltd both want to build wind farms near Kirkwhelpington, while Wind Prospect Developments Ltd has submitted plans for the Green Rigg Fell site.

'Historic heritage'

Each application is for approximately 20 turbines.

A Tynedale Council spokesman said: "We object to each of the proposals as they stand because of their individual and cumulative impacts, and will give evidence to the inquiry in support of its objections.

"The council is concerned about the effects of the proposals on the landscape, on the historic heritage of the area, on tourism and the impacts on civil and military aviation interests.

"Tynedale Council's general view is that it does not wish to prevent renewable energy development from taking place, but does wish to see the right proposals come forward in the right locations."