Anti-wind farm campaigners are joining forces in a move that could put the region at the forefront of a challenge to the Government’s renewable energy plans. Joe Willis reports.
TOO many wind turbines are being built too tall and too close to homes, according to a growing number of campaign groups in the North-East and North Yorkshire.
In a bid to halt “inappropriate” wind farm developments, activists in the region have pledged to work together to urge the Government to review its renewable energy policy.
Map showing locations of commercial wind turbines in the region - CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE
One of the chief aims is to push for laws to stop new wind farms being built within 2km of homes.
Campaigners say the buffer zone – already in force in Scotland – is needed until more tests on the potential dangers of wind turbines can be carried out.
A conference is planned for early next year in Darlington to discuss the issues.
The event is being organised by Trish Pemberton, chairwoman of the Bolam Area Action Group, which is fighting plans for a seven-turbine wind farm near the County Durham village.
Mrs Pemberton, a member of the National Alliance of Wind Action Groups, said: “A lot of people are concerned that their interests are being ridden roughshod over to push through wind farms.
“They’re coming closer and closer to people’s homes and getting taller and taller.”
Campaigners say there is evidence that the noise, shadows and vibrations created by wind farms cause long-term health problems for those living nearby.
Steve Lindo is chairman of North Hambleton Windfarm Action Group, which is protesting against plans for nine turbines at Ingram Grange Farm, in Appleton Wiske, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire.
He said: “We are branded as nimbys, but these things don’t work. They’re not doing as they say on the tin.”
According to the British Wind Energy Association website, 25 wind farms have been built or approved in the North-East and North Yorkshire, with at least another 13 proposed.
The figures mean the region has one of densest clusters of wind farms in Britain.
The groups are backing Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff’s Onshore Wind Turbines (Proximity of Habitation) Bill, which was put to Parliament last week, calling for limits on how close turbines can be built to homes.
Although the bill stands no chance of becoming law, campaigners feel it has given a national stage to their arguments.
The bill was supported by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson and Dari Taylor, MP for Stockton South.
Mr Wilson said: “People say it’s nimbyism, but I don’t mind wind farms in my back yard – as long as there is room for something else.”
A spokeswoman for the Department for Energy and Climate Change said it was “not constructive to impose generic constrictions on wind farms”.
She added: “Each wind farm is different from the next and we think you need to look at each application individually, taking into account the likely impacts of the particular wind farm and the characteristics of the particular location.”
A decision on the latest wind farm development planned for the region, at Bullamoor, near Northallerton, will go before councillors on Thursday.
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