Bolam wind farm plans scrapped, Teesdale Mercury

Bolam wind farm plans scrapped

Jul 15, 2010

PLANS for a controversial wind farm in Teesdale have been scrapped, it was announced today.

Following information from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), about a radar at RAF Leeming, the company behind the proposals for a site near Bolam, decided to withdraw the application.

A spokesman for RWE npower renewables said: "Following extensive site investigations, RWE npower renewables has made a decision not to proceed further with an application for a wind farm near Bishop Auckland at the present time. 

"The results of the site investigations and environmental surveys indicate that, whilst the Stobhill site is a good place for a wind farm, new information from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) concerning a radar at nearby RAF Leeming has meant that RWE npower renewables feel it would not be sensible to progress the scheme further at present."

Nigel Moore, Project Manager at TNEI, the company responsible for conducting the initial site assessments for RWE npower renewables, added: "When evaluating the potential for a wind farm many factors are assessed.  RWE npower renewables is a responsible developer which investigates potential sites in great detail before proceeding, to ensure the best outcomes are achieved for the people and organisations involved.  As the site at Stobhill has been found to not be 100% suitable, they will not be proceeding with their application at this time."

Although RWE npower renewables is not taking this particular wind farm proposal further at present, their assessments have shown that the area has potential for wind farm development.

Dale MP Helen Goodman said: "This is good news for the people of Bolam.
"At the same time, it is important that the electricity companies continue their search for suitable sites so that we can cut our carbon consumption and avoid serious climate change."