Lincolnshire’s stance on wind
Visiting Northumberland to meet anti-windfarm protesters, Coun Martin Hill, leader of Lincolnshire County Council with Coun Greg Sanderson (l) at the windfarm site near Woodhorn.
A council leader whose authority has made it tougher for developers to build windfarms near homes says Northumberland can follow suit.
Coun Martin Hill and his executive at Lincolnshire County Council agreed a new policy which will prevent turbines from being built within 2km of housing. And that is extended to within 10km of a village with more than 10 properties, while also curtailing multiple applications in certain areas .
On Friday, Coun Hill met a delegation of local Conservative councillors at the 13-turbine Scottish Power windfarm at Lynemouth to discuss ways in which Northumberland could follow Lincolnshire’s lead.
“Our policy is all about the cumulative impact on the landscape and the distance of turbines from housing,” he said.
“We support renewable energy but we have said enough is enough in terms of turbines.”
Coun Glen Sanderson, who chaired the meeting, said: “It was tremendously helpful to hear directly from a politician who has led radical action against the encroachment of wind turbines.
“Representatives from resident groups from across our county have shared ideas about how our council could do more to help local people stand up to well-resourced developers.
“The Conservative council group has listened and will now reflect upon the most effective action we can take in defence of our very special landscape.
“The success of any action will rely upon support from the Lib Dem council administration, who sadly chose not to support our recent call for an urgent consultation into the spread of turbines.”
Longhoughton campaigner David Rixon said: “In rural north Northumberland there is a feeling that the county council is not doing enough to support residents with legitimate fears about inappropriate turbine development.
“Northumberland already has enough turbines built and planned to meet our renewable energy obligations.
“The council must now take decisive action to limit the number of turbines and protect our landscape.”
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Weather for Northumberland
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South east
