TWO wind turbines look set to be erected in Teesdale by the end of the year, saving its largest employer £60,000 in energy costs.

Following presentations from representatives of the objectors and applicant, the district council's planning south committee granted permission for the 45m turbines at GlaxoSmithKline in Barnard Castle.

But before the debate could begin there was some argument as to which members should leave the chamber after five declared an interest.

Coun Richard Bell, as a current GSK employee, left of his own volition, but Coun Ken Coates - a former employee in receipt of a company pension - was reluctant to go.

However, chairman Coun Robin Simpson said if he chose to ignore advice he would not have any comeback should anybody wish to take it further at a later stage. The other members were allowed to stay.

Jo Bird - speaking on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and local residents Robin Hutchinson and Alan Wilkinson - called the height of the turbines into question. She talked of the visual impact, saying they would be twice the size of the Angel of the North.

"Can their installation be justified when they will supply only 4pc of energy and run at only 30pc capacity?" she asked.

Other objectors included Barnard Castle Town Council, Stainton and Streatlam Parish Council and Barnard Castle Ramblers, while there were also ten letters of objection.

Putting the case for GSK was Adrian Smith, senior consultant with the Northern Energy Initiative. "This application has its origins in TREC - Teesdale Renewable Energy Challenge - the objective of which was to find different forms of renewable energy," he told members. "It is not just out of the blue, it is in line with Government policy, and in our view is an ideal site."

He told how the power would be used by the company, which was the largest energy user in the dale.

"To put it in context, these turbines would supply 280 dwellings. That is equivalent to powering all the houses at Stainton and Stainton Grove.

"They would save the company £60,000 on its energy bills, year on year, as well as reducing CO2 emissions," he added.

Planning officer David Hand, who recommended approval of the application, pointed out that the chimneys would not be twice the size of the Angel of the North, but would be 45m to the tip. He also pointed out that the proposed site was adjacent to but not in an Area of High Landscape Value and was three miles from the nearest part of the AONB.

Some members were concerned that no environmental impact study had been undertaken, but Coun Simpson said advice had been sought from Government Office for the North-East, which said none was required.

Local member, Coun Peter Stubbs, said all of Teesdale was a wonderful place to live because of careful planning, and he could not support the application. "They will be there for good and a blot on the landscape," he added, tabling a motion for refusal.

Coun David Blackie found them aesthetically pleasing in the right location, with GSK caught between a rock and a hard place.

continued on page 3.