TEESDALE’S county councillors are to oppose the County Durham Plan because they say local comments have been ignored.
The plan is due to be approved by Durham County Council today (Wednesday).
Wind turbines, a relief road for Barnard Castle and protecting old railway routes are chief among concerns highlighted by Teesdale’s Conservative county councillors.
Cllr Richard Bell said: “We will be voting against the County Durham Plan, as overall the plan is too centred on Durham City, and comments made by ourselves and Teesdale Area Action Partnership have not been addressed.”
He said the “corridor of interest” for a relief road in Barnard Castle should be
upgraded to “protected status”.
He added: “The Barnard Castle to Bishop Auckland old railway line should be safeguarded as a walking and cycling route, there should be a proper assessment of the impact and opportunities of dualling the A66 and, as well as safeguarding existing employment sites, there should be an attempt to identify sites in the larger villages.”
Cllr Bell, who leads the Tory group, said the county has already exceeded its renewable energy targets because of the high number of wind turbines already in operation and future developments should be mainly offshore.
He said the 25 metre high limit for wind turbines in the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) should be reduced to the 11 metres allowed for micro-turbines.
Cllr Bell added: “The 40 metre height limit for wind turbines in the four east Teesdale areas is too high and only small turbines up to 25 metres should be allowed.”
