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Super turbines plan get go-ahead
A HUGE wind turbine for Hebburn has won town hall planning approval by just two votes – despite some councillors admitting they wouldn't want it on their doorstep.
The thumbs-up has been given to the turbine, which will be as tall as six Angels of the North, to be built at the A&P Tyne shipyard.
But at a meeting of the council's eight-person planning committee this week, opinion on the development was divided.
Nineteen residents had objected to the plan, claiming it would be noisy, visually intrusive and could interfere with their TV reception.
A series of consultants were called in to examine the concerns, and a report to the committee concluded that the 127m-high turbine "would not cause harm to any matters of acknowledged importance".
Councillors were also told the scheme would produce huge energy savings and help protect the jobs of the yard's 250-strong workforce.
Real Independent Coun George Elsom expressed his opposition to the turbine.
He said: "It is nonsensical to build it there. I fully endorse a lot of the concerns raised by the residents."
Coun Elsom expressed concern that granting the application could have a "knock-on effect".
He added: "What happens if A&P go under? What is to stop another developer applying for a second and third turbine? We could end up with a wind turbine farm."
Coun Geraldine White, of the Independent Alliance, also opposed the development, saying it was too close to nearby houses.
She said: "I would not like this hanging over my house. I notice one of the houses beside the proposed development is up for sale. I don't know if that is a coincidence or not."
Labour's Coun Eileen Leask supported the application, saying: "I don't know if I'd like it next to my home, I don't suppose I would. But it's in a shipyard and it will guarantee jobs."
The application was agreed by a narrow majority, with five councillors voting for and three against.
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
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