Residents object to plans for Chilton turbines (From The Advertiser Series)
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Residents object to plans for Chilton turbines
6:18pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News
FEARS of a spate of wind turbine applications have prompted residents to speak out against plans for land near Chilton.
Residents of the town, near Ferryhill, have joined councillors in opposing a scheme to erect the two 15-metre turbines at Park Hill, next to Chilton Hall, and are to petition Durham County Council.
The application is for turbines with a 5.6-metre rotor diameter to provide private energy at Coachman's House, next to Chilton Hall.
Protestors say that while the site will not be visible from Chilton Hall, it will be clearly visible to the rest of the town's residents.
Those behind the scheme feel that the six-kilowatt turbines are in the best place to maximise the wind and have countered any concerns residents may have.
However, Paul Gray, clerk to Chilton Town Council, said:
"A lot of people are complaining about this plan.
"If this goes ahead there will be two large turbines built on the top of a hill and they'll not be visible to Chilton Hall, but they'll be visible to everyone else.
"The plan came before the town council on Tuesday and the councillors firmly objected to it.
"A s far as the council is concerned, if this gets the goahead, every farmer in the area could apply to erect a turbine on his land.
"We're not against turbines, but we think they need to be in the right place."
Mayor of Chilton Councillor Elizabeth Bruce, has helped set up a petition among residents of Aldwin Close, where she lives.
She said: "People will be able to see the turbines from out of their windows and we are worried about any health and noise issues.
"We've set up a petition at the town council offices and I've written to the county council objecting."
Residents have until September 25 to send any comments to the county council.
Building consultant Brian Newman, the agent for the plan, said: "They are on high ground as that is the best place to get high wind speeds.
"They are far enough away from homes for health issues and they meet the industrial safety standards."
