Member Article

Prime Minister backs wind farm meeting

The Prime Minister has reportedly agreed to arrange a meeting between a planning minister and residents opposed to a new wind farm.

Energy firm E.ON wants to build one of England’s largest wind farms at a site in County Durham.

The farm would involve up to 45 turbines near Newton Aycliffe.

David Cameron made the remarks during Prime Minister’s Questions in response to Phil Wilson, the Labour MP for Sedgefield.

Mr Wilson asked Mr Cameron to agree to a meeting between a delegation of constituents and the relevant planning minister to discuss the plans.

Mr Cameron agreed and said: “It is important that local people have a greater say in planning decisions.”

And added: “Where wind farms do go ahead local people should see a greater benefit in terms of the finance that goes into the local area.”

Mr Wilson, whose constituency includes Newton Aycliffe, believes the area has enough turbines.

A five-turbine wind farm is already operating at Haswell Moor, near Peterlee and a further 17 are at Butterwick Moor near Sedgefield.

E.ON has said it is at the “early stages of conducting surveys and other research work to establish the potential for a commercial wind farm in the area of Newton Aycliffe.”

No planning application has yet been lodged with Durham County Council.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .