Objectors vow to 'fight tooth and nail' after plans for 325 feet wind turbines in Hartlepool downsized

Seneca Global Energy, in Hartlepool, had intended to submit planning applications for two turbines up to 325ft tall on Hartlepool Borough Council owned land off Brenda Road, south of Tata steel.

A single turbine on the Tofts Farm Industrial Estate, to the north of Tofts Road West, was also part of the scheme.

The plans were opposed by Seaton ward councillors and the Seaton Carew Wind Turbine Action Association who said the turbines were too close to residential properties.

Seneca has now withdrawn its application for the two turbines on the council’s land, but says it still intends to pursue an application for the singe turbine off Tofts Road West in the New Year.

It is understood the council decided not to market the Brenda Road site following local opposition.

But the authority says the land is still earmarked for potential wind turbine developments in its current Local Plan.

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesperson said: “The council can confirm that it was dealing with two planning applications regarding wind turbines in the Brenda Road area; it must be appreciated that both applications were never made valid by the applicant and as a result they were never brought to a conclusion.

“In the intervening period the applicant has withdrawn one of the applications and the remaining application remains invalid. The council will monitor the situation now and into the future.

“Notwithstanding the current planning applications, going forward the land will continue to be allocated in the 2018 Hartlepool Local Plan for strategic wind turbine developments.”

Seaton councillor Leisa Smith said people objected to the height, location and potential safety and noise pollution of the turbines.

Coun Smith said she worked with the turbine action association to put their case to senior figures within the council.

She said: “The residents are absolutely over the moon. It should not have been thought about so close to a residential area.

“I think turbines are a good thing in the right place. Putting them out at sea or in a field we have no issue with.”

Dan Grierson of The Energy Workshop, which had been working with Seneca on the Brenda Road plans, said: "My client is disappointed. They were working to provide renewable 'green' power to local users and that's now not going to happen.

"We remain of the opinion that the proposed wind turbines would be an asset to the area, particularly given the urgent need to decarbonise energy generation and grow the green economy."

An application for the single turbine on the nearby site owned by Seneca is expected to be validated and progressed in the New Year.

Coun Smith warned: “We are ready for it and will fight it tooth and nail.”