Durham Council adopts new North Pennines landscape plan

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Durham County Council has adopted new guidance that discourages wind turbines in prominent areas of the North Pennines.

Durham County Council's cabinet approved the new North Pennines National Landscape Management Plan at its meeting on Wednesday, 14 October. New guidance within the plan discourages wind turbines in prominent areas of the landscape, saying they should generally be avoided on moorland ridges, summits, plateaus and hilltops. The report states that turbines more than 25 metres tall affect the wild feeling of the area given the openness and scenery of the North Pennines.

The plan does not ban wind turbines outright. It acknowledges that renewable energy has an important role in moving away from fossil fuels and says smaller schemes which are carefully located and do not conflict with the character of the North Pennines may be encouraged. Councillor Kyle Genner said the proposals have good support and present 'a roadmap to a more resilient, nature-rich, and thriving local environment'. Mark Jackson, director of neighbourhoods and environment, stressed there was 'no compulsion' on farmers and land managers to carry out the suggested measures.

Durham Council adopts new North Pennines landscape plan — Image: Darlington & Stockton Times

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How it is being reported

Wind turbines could become harder to build in parts of County Durham under new planWind turbines could become harder to approve in parts of County Durham under a new blueprint for the North Pennines.Darlington & Stockton Times · 17 Oct, 12:00
Wind turbines could become harder to build in parts of County Durham under new planWind turbines could become harder to approve in parts of County Durham under a new blueprint for the North Pennines.The Northern Echo · 17 Oct, 08:00

In this story: Durham County Council · North Pennines · County Durham · Kyle Genner · Tim McGuinness · Mark Jackson

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