For generations, a scatter of homes on the moors above Barningham have drunk from their own springs. Now Fred. Olsen Renewables wants to raise 23 turbines on that ground, raising community fears over the safety of their water supplies, according to the latest report from The Northern Eco, writes volunteer community journalist, Henri Birkholz.
The environmental publication has analysed the documents released for the development and spoken to one of those impacted, Nick Turner, from Far East Hope. His home lies at the foot of the proposed development, and has drawn on a spring for 200 years, with no mains supply to fall back on.
“Any disruption of that area with the foundations of the wind farm would affect the water table, and therefore our water supply… I have great concern that that will affect our water,” he said.
A community study by the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group has counted at least 38 such private water supplies and found many of the households relying on them had no idea about the proposed development.
What makes this more than a planning row is what lies beneath the moor. The developer’s Scoping report identifies 31 old lead-mine shafts on the site and ground likely to hold lead, cadmium and arsenic; excavating the turbine foundations could carry that contamination into the springs these homes depend on. Nothing in the plans would establish what is in the water first as the report tells consultees no water sampling is proposed.
Much of what is known about the risk has come from the community, rather than the developers. The figure of at least 38 supplies comes from the Hope Moor Wind Farm Action Group, a community interest company, which set out to map the private sources and has filed a formal objection.
Fred. Olsen says the criticism is premature. In a statement, the company’s UK development director, Euan Hutchison, said the Scoping report “is designed to identify issues for detailed assessment rather than set final methodologies.” The company would, he said, “work closely with the Environment Agency… to develop proportionate monitoring, including for ground conditions, water quality and any private water supplies.”
The regulator’s own expectation is carefully worded: it would expect developments to consider the need for further assessment of existing contamination and risks to surface and groundwater “where relevant.” Whether Fred. Olsen’s approach meets it is, for now, an open question. The Environment Agency said only that it is “currently reviewing the Scoping report” and could not comment further while that review continues.
For the households on these moors, the question is no longer whether the water might change, but whether anyone will be watching if it does. On current plans, no one will.
Public consultation on the plans closes 30 June. Responses can be submitted online at hopemoor.co.uk.
Henri Birkholz
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
