The ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE considered ‘The Isles’ planning application. As you know, EON is applying to site a huge windfarm on the ‘Carrs’ land to the east of Newton Aycliffe, viz:
– 24 turbines (7 with a maximum tip height of up to 126.5m on land to the north west of the A1(M) and north of Great Isle Farm, 13 with a maximum tip height of up to 101m and 4 with a maximum tip height of up to 115m on land between Mordon and Preston-le-Skerne) 1 permanent 80m high anemometer mast, and associated infrastructure including control building and substation compound, access roads and related engineering works.
The Committee agreed to submit an objection to the development, citing the following planning objections:
– The Sedgefield Borough Council saved plan does not allow such a development.
– The Durham County Plan, soon to be approved, does not allow such a development.
– The windfarm would have an unacceptable visual impact.
– The windfarm would have a very unacceptable landscape/environmental impact on the delicate area of the Carrs and surrounding land.
– The windfarm would compromise housing development proposed for Copelaw by the Durham County Plan.
– The cumulative impact of this development, added to all the other windfarms in the area, would be excessive.
– Overall, the committee objected to what will amount to the industrialisation of a rural landscape so close to a major town.
If you also wish to support or oppose the windfarm, you have until 11 June to write to: Planning Development (Strategic), County Hall, Durham DH1 5UQ.
The RECREATION COMMITTEE also made a number of important decisions.
(1) Regarding the fireworks display, the Committee heard that the Safety Advisory Group is unable to meet with officers until 2 July – too late to book specialist services such as the fireworks, PA etc. Officers described the measures they have taken (lighting, fencing, extra stewards, evacuation plans, ticketing etc.) to meet the safety objections raised by the SAG two years ago. In the expectation that these measures will satisfy the SAG, councillors agreed to book the firework display. This will be lost money if the SAG again refuse to sanction the event, but not to do so would have meant that the Fireworks Display could not have taken place this year.
(2) members received a description of the Cutting Loose carnival event which is to take place in West Park on Tuesday 15 July at 6pm … and were very impressed.
(3) the Council considered a DCC consultation on a strategy for future fixed play provision in County Durham. The council was concerned that the proposals would put Great Aycliffe at a disadvantage, with investment going to other areas of County Durham.
(4) members agreed to write a letter of support for a lottery bid by Greenfield Tennis Club for the refurbishment of the tennis courts and 3G sports pitch.