Inquiry continues into wind plan

The turbines will be five times the height of the Angel of the North

A public inquiry into plans to site giant wind turbines along a popular tourist route in Northumberland, has enetred its second day.

Proposals to site the 300-foot high turbines were originally recommended for approval by planning officers in the county.

But councillors decided to vote down the plan in June 2002.

The inquiry is considering whether the three turbines will be sited near the village of Edlingham.

National Windpower wants to erect the turbines at New Moor House near Edlingham.

But councillors rejected the plan because of the towers' "visual impact" and a potential "adverse effect" on highway safety.

A spokesman for Alnwick District Council said: "It is a finely balanced issue, but at the end of the day the councillors decided to refuse the scheme on sound grounds that will be tested at the inquiry.

There are a number of wind farms positioned in view of roads including one near Kendal in full view of traffic

National Windpower

"There is very strong influence from the government to push for renewable energy.

"But this does have to be balanced with the impact on the environment and the effect on tourist traffic which will pass close to the turbines."

A spokesman for National Windpower said: "Numerous independent public opinion surveys show that the majority of people like wind farms.

"For example, at Lambrigg wind farm in Cumbria, three quarters of local residents surveyed support the project.

Distraction to drivers

"There are a number of wind farms positioned in view of roads including one near Kendal in full view of traffic using the M6 there is no evidence of any adverse impact on road users.

"The publication of the government's Energy White Paper in February re-iterated the government's target of generating 10% of the UK's electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and identified the important contribution that wind farms will make in reaching this target. "

Local campaigners opposed to the scheme were concerned the structures - three times the size of the Angel of the North - would pose a distraction to drivers on the nearby A697 road.

Councillors also rejected the plans because they believed the turbines would spoil the beauty of the area.

The turbines would generate enough electricity to power 2,400 homes.