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Blair opposes wind farm bid

by Stuart Arnold

VILLAGERS who are campaigning against a wind farm in the heart of Tony Blair's constituency say the Prime Minister is backing their fight.

Trimdon Area Group Against Wind Farms is hoping that a letter from Mr Blair will persuade members of Durham City Council's planning committee to refuse an application to erect four 76mhigh turbines on farmland between the Trimdons and Town Kelloe.

The controversial plans by energy company EDF, which is seeking permission to build the farm to provide electricity to 3,145 homes, will be discussed by the councillors when the committee meets in Durham City Town Hall on Wednesday, at 5.15pm.

Objectors to the scheme say the turbines are too close to villages such as Trimdon Grange, Trimdon Station, Cassop, Quarrington Hill, Kelloe and Town Kelloe.

One of the main concerns, say residents living near the site, is that the wind farm will be on land that was once part of Trimdon Grange Mine.

People fear that the wind farm turbines would disturb the land and create subsidence.

Margaret Flynn, from the protest group, said: "We are worried about the health concerns but our prime objection is the subsidence.

"EDF has carried out a survey but we want an independent report. Our group is not against renewable energy. We are against where this is located. We understand there is a need for renewable energy but there needs to be more research before they start putting these things next to people's houses."

Mrs Flynn said the group had received a letter from Tony Blair's agent, John Burton, who had written to them on behalf of the Prime Minister.

She said the letter had been copied to the city council.

Mr Burton wrote: "I agree with many of the points you raise. While both Tony and I support the development of alternative sources of energy, they need to be situated in the correct place.

"Large turbines shouldn't be sited near housing developments and, in the case of Trimdon Grange, built on land that is liable to subsidence."

Published 13/12/04