By Martin Walker
Campaigners fighting E.ON’s huge wind farm bid near Newton Aycliffe have held two exhibitions in the region to showcase their argument.
The Isles Community Turbine Action Campaign (Tictac) held exhibitions in Sedgefield and Mordon, in County Durham, to coincide with events organised by energy firm E.ON, showcasing revised plans for The Isles wind farm on the outskirts of Aycliffe.
Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson attended Tictac’s exhibition in Sedgefield as well as E.ON’s open day in the village.
“I’m not against wind farms,” insisted Mr Wilson.
“But in County Durham we have played our part already, so enough is enough.
“If it was just 17 wind turbines in the area, then I think it wouldn’t be a problem.
“There’s an accumulation of wind farms in one area. If E.ON application gets the go-ahead, you’re going to have three big wind farms in the same electoral ward, and I just think it’s too many.
“22% of our energy needs come from renewable energy and that’s one of the best records in the country – we’ve played our part.
“My view is if everyone wants to share the benefit of renewable energy, we also have to share the burden.”
Tictac member Susan Fox said the aim was not to influence opinion but to provide a platform to express concerns, most notably fears the region is taking on more than its fair share of wind farms.
She told the Northern Echo: “There is no petition here – just information.
“The feedback we had from people who attended E.ON events last year was that they were not getting the full picture as they only presented one side of the argument.”
Tictac, which has the support of Mr Wilson, has conducted extensive research into wind turbine distribution using statistics from Renewables UK.
Results show the county, which already has 69 operational turbines, has among the highest concentrations in England, second only to Cornwall with 94 turbines.
However, Tictac member Phil Woods said he does not feel this is a true reflection of the situation.
“What they don’t say is that Durham produces far more electricity than Cornwall,” he told the Echo.
“The turbines they are proposing for The Isles will be up to 125 metres tall. More than half of the turbines in Cornwall are below 50 metres.”
Following the initial consultation last year, E.ON reduced the proposed number of turbines from 45 to two clusters of seven and 17.
The turbines would be capable of generating more than 60 megawatts of electricity – enough to power 35,000 homes.
A spokesman from E.ON said the consultation events had been well attended, with the majority of people saying they preferred the new scheme.
She said the company had examined cumulative impact when carrying out environmental assessments and highlighted how the Secretary of State would consider this when determining the application.
“We know that people have strong views about wind farms, and some believe that there are already too many in the local area,” she said.
“We believe this is a good site for a wind farm and The Isles will help us meet the UK’s renewable energy targets.”
The consultation runs until September 9. Comments can be submitted by calling 0800- 096-1199, emailing theisles@ eonuk.com or by visiting eon-uk.com/the isles
■ Pictured above is (back row, L-R) Eamonn Murtagh, Susan Fox and Joe Hall; (back row) Trish Pemberton, Catherine Hart and Phil Wilson MP.
