THE Hamsterley and Upper Gaunless Action Group (HUGAG) has been opposing the proposal for a major wind turbine development between Hamsterley Forest and Woodland Village for the past six years, and this battle is about to culminate in a meeting of the Durham County Council Planning Committee in County Hall at 1pm next Tuesday.

The application is for permission to install the first industrial-scale turbines to the west of the A68, thus opening the door to further such proposals throughout both Teesdale and Weardale. The implications of this are so momentous that HUGAG respectfully invites every reader to look at its statement on its website, hugag.co.uk

HUGAG would warmly welcome support at the planning committee meeting on the day, and if we are contacted – hugag@live.co.uk – we will gladly make efforts to assist people with transport.

This is not just about protecting the villages of Hamsterley and Woodland, nor even about preserving the recreational attraction of Hamsterley Forest. This is about safeguarding the whole of Teesdale.

The HUGAG committee, Hamsterley.