21.06.2007 Meeting in Longhirst Village Hall:

Some of the topics and questions raised: (as far as I remember, without a specific order)

• noise from windfarm might be disturbing to properties close by
• what supporting infrastructure will be required? what will be the impact ?
• impact of windfarm on protected woodland (Bulberry woods)?
• a medical report was mentioned which stated some recommended distances of windfarms to housing (could I have a link for this one?)
• impact on local wildlife? e.g. protected Red Squirrels have been sighted close by
• are windfarms carbon efficient ? (arguing, that production of the turbines, transport... would need more energy than they can produce)
• RES would receive generous funds from the government, which might influence their decision to build this windfarm
• farmers would receive considerable payments from RES
• serveral 'worst case scenarios' where mentioned, including large concrete blocks remaining after the windfarm has reached the end of it's useful life and supporting a windfarm, that an alternative would be a nuclear powerstation near Druridge Bay
• the windfarm would be in a low-flight are of the RAF

Representatives have been chosen to do further research in some of above questions.

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17 July 2008 Longhirst/Hebron Wind Farm Meeting:

The meeting was held in Longhirst Village Hall and was attended by over 40 residents, the local County and Borough Councillors and the Agent for Dennis Murphy MP. It followed a two-day exhibition of the latest wind farm proposal for the area.
It was clear that residents have a number of serious concerns over the plans by Novera Energy to erect six 130m turbines between the two villages including;

• The cumulative impact on the area of the former Butterwell opencast site and the wind farm.
• The apparent lack of discussions between Novera and RES over the current plans for 2 wind farms.
• The sheer size and number of the 130m turbines and the inevitable impact these would have on the 2 villages.
• The close proximity to a number of homes.
• The impact any wind farm in this location will have on the three conservation areas of Longhirst Village, the grounds of Longhirst Hall and Blubbery Woods.
• The threat to employment at Longhirst Hall which depends very much on its location, natural surroundings and tranquility.
• The conflict with RAF low flying training routes.
• The spacing between turbines and local rights of way being below national standards.
• Novera were planning to study the impact on a number of mammals but had omitted the red squirrel - an endangered species of major significance to this area.