AN ENERGY company who wanted to drop a noise reduction rule at its windfarm have backed down at the last minute.

Banks Renewables won permission to erect four 125m high wind turbines at Lambs Hill, Stillington, near Stockton, in 2011 but a special noise-monitoring condition was imposed.

The company wanted that condition removed or altered and made an application to Stockton Borough Council, arguing it was unlawful.

The issue was due to be debated at the council’s planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday, December 4), but the County Durham company has decided to remove the application - despite it being recommended for approval by council officers.

However ,the company still plans to go ahead with the 10mw windfarm which will have a 25 year lifespan without the change it wanted.

Phil Dyke, development director at Banks Renewables, said: “The change we were requesting related to a technical issue in the wording of the Lambs Hill planning permission document, and would not have reduced the level of controls placed on noise from the turbines.

"Indeed, we feel what we proposing would have improved the level of amenity protection for local residents around the site.

“In light of the comments raised by members of the Stockton Borough Council Planning Committee last month when they considered the planning officers report, we have now decided to withdraw our application to make this change, and will be proceeding with the project as per our original planning permission.

“Banks Renewables remains fully committed to ensuring that the Lambs Hill wind farm is developed in line with the requirements of the planning permission and the environmental management plan.”

Tom Kirby, of Stillington, had objected to the development which he says is too near people’s homes. The nearest house is just 980m from the turbines and Stillington a little over a kilometre away.

He said: “Banks know that every tweet and squeak over the allowed noise level will be reported about that windfarm.”

Eleanor Lane, who also objected, said: “They said it was unlawful and unworkable and now they say it is legal and workable after all. It makes you think that the council officers who recommended it must be on shaky ground.”

No date has yet been set for the building of the windfarm.