The Developers, Force 9 and Catamount energy, submitted a planning application to Berwick Borough Council and it has now been resubmitted  with less turbines. It is not too late to write, saying why you object to the development. The planners will take objection letters or emails up until the application is heard. Examples below

  Berwick Borough Council have registered the planning application, (Reference number O6B0148), and have agreed to extend the time to object to the development proposal. Please write or email your objection as soon as you can.

WHAT TO DO

Letter 1: (Main point is Visual Amenity)

Development Services Manager
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
Council Offices
Wallace Green
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1ED

Date

Dear Sir/Madam,
Barmoor Wind Farm Development Proposal

Application No 06B0148

I have studied with interest the plans for the proposed wind turbines on the high ridge of land between Brackenside and Barmoor South Moor.

I have an interest in this area because I am a nearby resident, and I follow closely any proposed developments in the rural countryside. I am also considering my own small bed and breakfast business and possible extension to my house.

Almost all the developments in the area that I have been aware of have had to address some form of “visual amenity” issue and these are usually well considered by developers and planners alike. The planning department in Berwick-upon-Tweed is well known for applying meticulous detail to issues of visual amenity, and it is my belief that in this part of the countryside the results speak for themselves. We enjoy a particularly pleasing rural environment and the Lowick, Bowsden and Ford area is an excellent example. Screening of some developments with tree planting is often a requirement, and in most cases is a simple and successful technique.

However, when it comes to considering visual amenity in the case of the nine 360 ft wind turbines near Barmoor, no amount of tree planting or landscaping could possibly mitigate the massive visual effect that these structures will have in the local landscape. Likewise the planners will not be able to set any conditions on the development that will reduce the visual impact.

This is of course due to the sheer size of the turbines, which are totally out of proportion to any existing natural feature or development in the area. They would remain prominently visible for many miles in all directions.

For this reason alone the turbines should be rejected.

Given that there are also no environmental benefits from these turbines, either locally or nationally, there is no justification for approving this planning application.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed)
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Letter 2 (Landscape, economy, visual impact)

The Planning Officer
Berwick Borough Council
Berwick on Tweed
TD151ED

Dear Sir/Madam,

REF: O6B0148 Planning Application by Force 9 for Barmoor Wind Farm

I write to object to the above planning application and my reasons are as follows:.

1. Damage to Landscape Character.

The rural charm of the North Northumberland landscape is the natural asset which attracts thousands of visitors to our area and therefore must be protected. Indeed the development would compromise the landscape character of the adjacent AONB and National Park.

2.Economic Damage .
Employment opportunities in this area are mainly in the Tourism Industry.
I and many of my young friends work in this industry and are concerned
that such developments will deter visitors from coming to this area. A drop
of visitor numbers would be a real threat to local employment and future
investment.

3 .Visual Impact
The proposed turbines would be visible for miles around and especially
from such historic places such as Bamburgh, Flodden, Halidon Hill,
Norham, and the special Protection Area of Holy Island one of the most
visited places in the county.

I urge the Council to protect this precious local rural landscape and reject this application especially when this area could use such renewable resources such as biomass, wave & tidal power, which would not compromise the landscape character. Yours faithfully,


(Your Signature)

Letter 3: (Main point is Noise)

Development Services Manager
Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council
Council Offices
Wallace Green
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1ED

Monday 23rd July 2007

Dear Sir,

Proposed Wind Farm at Barmoor       Application Reference No 06/ B0148

As a resident living close by the proposed development I wish to make an objection on the grounds of noise.

1. Noise

A recent report (14th March 2006) from the prestigious French Académie Nationale De Médecine, Paris recommended that any construction of wind turbines of over 2.5MW capacity within 1.5km of homes should be suspended immediately pending further research into the ill-effects of noise on human health.

 From Section 3 Health complaints reported by certain people living near wind turbines :

The noise is the most frequent complaint. It is described as throbbing, alarming, and perpetually surprising because it is irregular in intensity, but also comprises incongruous grating sounds, which attract attention or disturb rest. Occurring unexpectedly during the night, these noises disturb sleep, waking up the subject abruptly as soon as the wind rises”
The report deplores the lack of studies on sound near turbines and calls for a minimum acoustic safety distance to be defined.
There have been several other reports also outlining the health complaints linked to the stress the noise induces (depression, anxiety, headaches).
Surely it would be ill advised to allow a development which research shows may be a health hazard, At the very least it should be suspended pending further research.
At present this area has very little background noise and is extremely tranquil and peaceful.
Yours  faithfully

Letter 4

Planning Office
Berwick Borough Council
Wallace Green
Berwick on Tweed
TD15 1ED (YOUR ADDRESS)

Dear Sir,

Ref: APPLICATION FOR WIND FARM AT BARMOOR Ref O6B0148

We are writing this letter to raise an objection against the proposal to develop a wind farm at Barmoor particularly as we regularly visit the Barmoor Castle Caravan Park and other local tourist attractions in North Northumberland.

Our objection is based on several issues.

1. Visual Impact
Firstly, the proposed creation of wind farms in North Northumberland would
have a dreadful impact on the visual amenity.We choose to visit the area to get
away from industrialisation and enjoy the delightful vast tracts of unspoilt
countryside.Indeed these turbines will intrude on the view from the following
places:

• Flodden Field
• Norham
• Halidon Hill
• Holy Island
• Bamburgh
• The Farne Islands
• The Heritage Coast Line area
• Yeavering Bell
• Cheviot

The only structure the area has of a similar height is Chatton Mast and that is seen from miles around.There are no buildings of this magnitude in the North East of England.The turbines would also have large blades, which will not rotate together and therefore will be very intrusive to the eye when they rotate.
2.Amenity Value
A further impact will be caused by the closure of public footpaths & bridal ways.
This will exclude the public from enjoying the natural beauty of the North Northumberland.
3.Impact on the Environment
Each of these turbines will require a concrete foundation each in the region of1000 tonnes, together with tracks leading around the site.These would causeirreparable damage to the local eco-system.Surely of particular concern would be the effect on the near by peat based grass, and peat bogs which grow to a depth of 300mm/1000 years.If these peat based areas are destroyed, you destroy breeding areas for Grouse, Pheasant, Partridge, Moorhens and would affect migrating wildlife too.The Red Kites which were released in the Derwent Valley also visit the area and since these birds are unable to see the rotating turbine blades, they could be killed or injured.
4.Noise
Another issue is that in other countries, such as Holland, the noise generated by this type of turbine is very intrusive to anyone living nearby.The developers in Britain state that the noise from these turbines will not be heard above other background noise.However, unlike where we live in Durham, there is generally no background noise in this area of North Northumberland.This is why we love to visit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
5. Safety
Our final concern is that aircraft often use this area to practice low flying manoeuvres and there is a significant risk that an aircraft could make contact with one of these turbines and could result in a dreadful accident.

We hope you will take into account the above points when you are making your decision on this planning application.
Yours faithfully,