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Peel Energy, one of the driving forces behind the Blue Sky Forest initiative, has advanced plans to integrate a wind farm into the complex assisting Blue Sky to become carbon neutral and generating enough electricity to meet the needs of approximately 15,500 homes – around 20% of the households in Northumberland.
Blue Sky Forest will transform extensive areas of former Northumberland surface mines, such as West Chevington, Stobswood, and Maidens Hall, into a top leisure, recreation, and tourist destination of regional significance.
Following community feedback received at public exhibitions held in March, Peel Energy has continued work to find the most suitable wind farm design. It’s believed the latest design, featuring a reduced number of 13 turbines, provides the best-fit for the surrounding environment and for the overall Blue Sky Forest plan, including establishing a world class golf complex and national sports academy.
Blue Sky Forest is aiming to be a model for sustainable development. Plans to introduce a wind farm as a distinctive backdrop have assisted in kick-starting the wider project. Peel Energy would lay the foundations for the site by creating access roads and installing essential electricity network connections.
Community members are invited to attend a public exhibition to view the advanced wind farm plans and put their questions to the Peel Energy team. A range of information will be on display, including photomontage images of how the turbines would look from various view points, and results from other completed and on-going environmental assessment work.
Peel Energy wants the whole the community to have the opportunity to provide input on their proposals so is taking their exhibition to six locations in the surrounding area across three days.
The events are detailed below and light refreshments will be provided.
| Wednesday 19 October |
| Widdrington Women’s Institute Hall, Widdrington Village |
2pm-8pm |
| Thursday 20 October |
| Ulgham Women’s Institute, Ulgham |
10am-12noon |
| Widdrington Community Centre, Widdrington Station |
1pm-6pm |
| Trittlington First School, Tritlington |
7pm-9pm |
| Friday 21 October |
| Cresswell Village Hall, Creswell |
9am-12pm |
| Hadston House, Bondicar Road, Hadston |
1.30pm-6.30pm |
Blue Sky Forest is the vision of UK COAL and Harworth Estates working with the Widdrington Regeneration Partnership (WRP), a local community partnership aiming to regenerate this part of Northumberland through attracting investment and creating local employment.
Further Information: please contact Carole Riley or Alex Doyle on 0161 786 8000.
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