THE BANKS Renewables amended proposals to erect six turbines instead of 10 at Moor House wind farm near Barmpton, Darlington, has been opposed by Sadberge Parish Council and six others.

Councillor Brian Jones said : “We ‘SPAG’ (Seven Parishes Action Group) take the position that commercial scale wind turbines should not be put on the Tees Plain settlements to the north-east of Darlington. We have formed the action group to represent our community interests.”

A planning application has been submitted to the planning officers in Darlington for six turbines of 125 metres in height, with an estimate by Banks that increasing the height of a turbine by 15% can increase its power output by 30%.

Durham Tees Valley Airport have withdrawn their objections after Banks propose to give new radar information so that the Moor House turbines will not show up on the airport’s radar.

It is estimated that the six turbines can give 8,300 houses in Darlington electricity. If approved, the scheme will provide employment to a local workforce and have a positive impact on climate change, reducing carbon emissions.

Whinfield, Sadberge, Little Burdon, Great Burdon, Brafferton, Great Stainton and Haughton Le Skerne are between two and three kilometres away from the proposed site. All six turbines would be visible from the footpath near Skerningham Manor.

Objections to the Moor House scheme ranges from visual impact and that it possibly combines with other wind farm plans to exceed landscape capacity, probable noise levels, to shadow flicker and aircraft safety.

Banks Renewables state that properties near the wind farm would experience less noise from six turbines and that there are no homes near enough to the turbines to get sun flicker.

To contact ‘SPAG’ call Peter Wood on 01740 631971.

Banks are interested in feedback and can be contacted on 0844 209 1515, enquiries@banksgroup.co.uk