Complaints over flicker and noise problems from wind turbines

At East Chevington Parish Council on Monday night, Coun Fred Thurgood said that the windfarms along the A1068, close to Widdrington, have been causing issues.

He said: “There have been quite a lot of problems and the turbines have had to be shut down for an hour or so each day because of shadow flicker.

“There has also been lots of complaints about noise and noise monitoring is being carried out in Widdrington.”

Infinis Energy built the nine-turbine North Steads windfarm, at Maiden’s Hall and Steadsburn, as well as the neighbouring four-windmill Sisters scheme, near Widdrington Village.

After the meeting, an Infinis spokesman said there had been a problem with shadow flicker, but this has been resolved.

He said the issue related to the Sisters windfarm and told the Gazette: “We have modified our software to ensure the turbines don’t cause any flicker.

“We took extra precaution by shutting the site down for an hour or so, but it’s now resolved and is operating as normal.”

He said the company is following industry procedure by carrying out noise assessments, related to both sites.

A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: “We received complaints about shadow flicker and noise from the windfarms.

“The operator has carried out an assessment and is putting in place measures to prevent the blades from causing flicker. They are also carrying out noise assessments.

“We will monitor these issues to ensure that suitable measures are put in place to mitigate against unacceptable impacts from the site.”