Northumberland to gain two more wind farms

Two Northumberland wind farm proposals have gained planning consent following a drawn out public inquiry. A third proposal was rejected following consideration at the same public inquiry. Final decisions were issued on 26 March 2010 on three proposals.

Ministers sanctioned a proposal from Wind Prospect Developments for 18 turbines at Green Rigg Fell, Birtley as well as granting consent with conditions to the application for 20 turbines on the Ray Estate, from Amec Project Investments.

However the outcome of the planning inquiry that considered all three proposals turned down a bid for 21 turbines by Banks Developments at nearby Steadings.

The public inquiry had lasted 11 months, ending in December 2008. It has taken a further 14 months for the decisions to be made public.

A spokesman for Wind Prospect said: “Wind Prospect is delighted that the Secretary of State has taken into account all of the information presented during the planning process and the public inquiry, and has determined that on balance, the Green Rigg site is suitable for a wind farm of this size and scale.”