THE triple wind farm inquiry has finally concluded, but no decision from the Secretary of State is likely until next year.
The public inquiry, which began on May 6, concluded on Monday when advocates on behalf of the developers, Moorsyde Wind Farm Ltd, Catamount Energy and npower, opposition groups, Moorsyde Action Group (MAG), Save Our Unspoilt Landscape (SOUL), Resid
ents of Ancroft Southmoor (RoASM) and Inappropriate Siting of Renewable Energy Structures (ISORES), along with the county council put forward their closing submissions.
John Denham's decision, as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, will finally bring to an end the long, drawn out process that started in 2002, in the case of Moorsyde, when scoping for sites first took place.
Paul Tucker, counsel for Northumberland County Council was highly critical of landscape witness Kay Hawkins, who appeared for Moorsyde Wind Farm Ltd earlier in the inquiry, and in particular her assertion that turbines would enhance the views of the Cheviots.
In his closing submission he said: "The local planning authority would defy anyone, including the most ardent enthusiast of the supposed sculptural elegance of windturbines to conclude that what any of the views to the Cheviots lacks is a big wind turbine."
Michael Druce, advocate for MAG said: "I have already submitted that while some fine views are experienced elsewhere in the area, nothing compares with the duration and crescendo of the experience enjoyed along the B6354.
"It is evident that the introduction of new, large-scale engineering structures within this corridor would dominate existing views of the Cheviots and would detract from the strongly rural and tranquil characteristics of these views."
Tamsin Faiers, of RoASM, said noise levels at Moorsyde could only work within the limits if the turbines were constantly 'turned down' and therefore producing very little energy, and that even then, the noise produced would still lead to complaints.
David Hardy, advocate for npower, said: "As became perfectly clear during the inquiry, the single determining issue facing the proposed development is any potential effects it may have on the setting of the Duddo stones Scheduled Ancient Monument.
"The appellant submits that the proposed development would lie outwith the setting of the Duddo stones and would cause no harm to it."
He later added: "In relation to the Duddo stones, the challenge for cultural heritage management is to achieve a balance between protection and preservation of those qualities and the characteristics of the cultural heritage landscape that are most valuable whilst simultaneously acknowledging the need for and accommodating wind turbines which are in themselves new, culturally necessary elements, into our modern and historic landscapes."
The final closing submission presented to the inspector, Ruth MacKenzie, who will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State, was from Marcus Trinick, advocate for Barmoor appellants Catamount Energy.
In his conclusion, he said that renewable energy targets were there to be met, and that although Barmoor alone could not meet them, or Barmoor plus the other two discussed at the inquiry, these would be small steps towards meeting the minimum targets.
He added: "Without Barmoor there will need to be another scheme which may arrive later, or it may not arrive at all.
"There is not an inexhaustible supply of renewable energy or wind energy projects out there somewhere to fill supply gaps.
"We need every project as it comes forward unless there are very good reasons for refusing permission."
He concluded: "Barmoor is a well located project.
"It should be positively regarded unless there are site specific reasons for taking an opposite view. There are none.
"Barmoor is also a well designed scheme. It has a good fit with the local landscape. It does not cause visual or any other offence. It is acceptable in terms of local environmental effects, and in terms of policy, by itself or with either of the other two projects before this inquiry.
"There are no good reasons to reject Barmoor. We ask you to recommend to the Secretary of State that permission should be granted."
Full copies all inquiry documents can be found online at www.persona.uk.com/berwick
