A FARMER has won planning permission to install a wind turbine which he claims will help him stay in business for the foreseeable future.

The 45-metre tall turbine will be installed on farmland between Hunwick and North Bitchburn after local councillors told the planning committee there was “significant support” for the proposal in the local community.

Members of Durham County Council’s County Planning committee voted by seven votes to six to allow the turbine, overturning a recommendation by their officers that the application be refused.

The turbine is to be installed on land at Blakeley Hill Farm, farmed by Michael McClurg and his son Andrew, and will generate enough electricity each year to power up to 100 homes.

Planning officials recommended that the application be refused, telling the committee that the area was not one designated for wind farm development under planning guidelines.

The application also attracted opposition from three residents, concerned about noise and visual intrusion, and a further objection from the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

However, local councillors argued that around 280 letters had been sent out to residents, of whom only three had written to object.

They also said developers had offered a £40,000 package to fund community projects in the area.

Speaking in support of the application, Cllr Fraser Tinsley argued the proposed turbine was smaller than other turbines at nearby Crook and Oakenshaw. He said: My consultations demonstrate there is significant support for it in the community. There wouldn’t be any overbearing visual impact.”

He added: “There are occasions when wind turbines will not be appropriate, but this isn’t one of them.”

Cllr Olwyn Gunn, who also represents Willington and Hunwick, told the meeting at County Hall, Durham: “What we’re looking at is a small to medium turbine proposal – it is not big.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: it’s a judgement and in my judgement the visual impact of this single turbine would not be significant.

“It isn’t next to a stately home, it isn’t in the grounds of Auckland Castle and it’s not in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

“I live in Hunwick and I talk to people in Hunwick and there isn’t huge opposition to this.”

Committee member Cllr David Boyes said: “It isn’t a big turbine, it shouldn’t have much visual impact and there isn’t widespread public opposition.”

Fellow committee member Cllr Grenville Holland added: “I firmly believe that farmers should be given the opportunity to improve and sustain their businesses.”

Members of the committee voted to allow the application, subject to a number of conditions to be determined by planning officers and the committee chairman.