Memorandum by The Revd. John Wylam
1. I have attended some sessions of the
Northumberland Public Inquiry into the proposed development of
three wind farms, namely Green Rigg, Steadings and Rey which is
on-going.
2. I write as an individual, but I am also
vicar of the benefice of Chollerton which includes the parishes
of Chollerton, Birtley and Thockrington.
3. Thockrington Parochial Church Council
has concerns on the effect of the wind turbines on the setting
of Thockrington Church, a grade 2 star listed building as well
as the effect of noise and on wilderness and landscape
4. The problems caused by the proliferation
of wind turbines has not been helped by the use of the "W"
areas in the North East Regional Spatial Strategy c.2005 which
indicates areas of least constraint. This has caused a stampede
of developers who are intent on getting a foothold on areas, which
are of high landscape value. However they have proved not to be
areas of least constraint because of such matters as aviation
security, cultural heritage and their proximity to the Roman Wall.
5. It has generally been felt that the huge
subsidies have been the cause of the number of planning applications
which would not have been envisaged by the North East Assembly
when the RSS strategy was implemented. It would be interesting
to know what effect the subsidies have on energy bills.
6. It seems strange that no accommodation
could have been agreed between BERR and Ministry of Defence. The
MoD maintains that the granting of permission to install any of
the three developments now comprising of 55 turbines would place
the safety and security of aircrew and the public in jeopardy.
7. Newcastle International Airport and Air
Traffic Control are also vigorously contesting the developments
on the grounds of safety and security.
8. The provision of a mechanism to filter
out some developments would have saved a great deal of public,
corporate and private money.
9. Local Government has to hire in expertise,
and there are limitatations on their budgets. The developers seem
to have bottomless pit of money judging by the documentation which
they produce and the size of their legal teams.
10. It seems incongruous that the MoD should
be subjected to scrutiny in an area like Spadeadam Electronic
Warfare Training Establishment which is so strategically important,
and in an area which is an important route for low-flying military
aircraft and civilian aircraft. My perception has been that the
developers are determined to drive through their projects at all
costs.
11. According to a witness for Air Traffic
Control the quality of the appellants' witnesses on the radar
issues have been poor. It is clear that there is a limited pool
of good quality consultants.
12. Wind-turbines may have a detrimental
effect on carbon emissions as aircraft may be forced to take longer
routes with the consequence of more fuel burn.
13. Of concern is the fragmentation of local
communities. The proposals do cause problems such as loyalty in
families and communities.
14. There is also the problem of noise which
is likely to become a larger issue as turbines increase in size.
The ETSU formula does not seem sophisticated enough. The World
Health Organization has suggestions about noise nuisance, and
surely this should be used to inform decisions. Even then it appears
that noise controls cannot be enforced.
15. Similarly it would appear that PPS 22
needs to give better guidance on the need to provide details of
grid-connections. What is the point of permitting the development
of wind-turbines if the grid-connections will fail the planning
tests.
16. The public and media perception is that
wind turbines are inefficient. They do not operate when there
is no wind, and even when wind is available they do not always
turn—example Kirkheaton. The turbines still need to be supported
by conventional power station back-up. The slowing of turbines
to cut down noise means a lessening of energy generation, which
in turn affects energy production.
17. Tourism is an important economic factor
in Northumberland. The County is valued by tourists for its landscape
and wilderness characteristics. Studies show that wind-farms can
have a detrimental effect visitor numbers which has an effect
on the economy of the area. Tourism provides job opportunities
in Tynedale.
13 June 2008
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