Changing turbines into head turners; Artist working with wind farm engineers.

Byline: Adrian Pearson

WIND farms across Northumberland and the North Sea could be turned into striking works of art after renewable energy bosses appointed a wind turbine artist in residence.

Tourism chiefs have urged engineers to "proceed with caution" over plans to turn some turbines into colourful works of art as part of a scheme which energy groups hope will ease concerns of wind farms ruining scenic locations.

Alec Finlay is working with engineers at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) to change the design of the sometimes controversial turbines.

As well as planning to paint some turbines, the artist has also written short poems on to blades and is considering building small "sculptures" around the masts of others.

Mr Finlay last night said he did not expect everyone to agree that turbines could be transformed into tourism-boosting works of art, but thought many would appreciate the potential.

He said: "Some people will be convinced by this that these turbines can be seen as art, and others will not.

"It's not my place to tell people what they should think about turbines but they should have the opportunity to at least see them in this light. I don't think all turbines should be turned into art forms but this does present the opportunity to actually use some of these to contribute to the tourism economy."

Mr Finlay added: "I know there are mixed feelings over turbines, some people think of them as being incredibly beautiful and others view them in a sense as a source of fear.

"While those differences are not going to go away soon, we are at a place in time where people should at least be given options."

Wind farm opponents have questioned the value of the artwork, amid warnings the bright and eye-catching designs may harm tourism-dependent businesses.

Dominic Coupe, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England's Northumberland branch, said: "In principle, provided the scheme takes into account various sensitivities, then it has some potential but if this is just an attempt to gloss over the legitimate concerns people have, then this could backfire. The big worry is that these schemes just don't work. I know in Cornwall they tried to use wind farms as a tourism boost and there was no benefit, but a lot of money spent.

"I can see most people taking a highly sceptical view of this, and for good reasons."

Derek Smibert, from the North Northumberland Tourism Association, said: "From a tourism perspective, I would think this is at best a very debatable move.

"I don't think there is an audience out there that wants to go to see brightly coloured, taller and taller turbines, but there are people who want an undisturbed trip to the countryside. Why risk that?"

Keith Melton, director of technology at NaREC, said the work was a chance for people to reconsider their opinion of wind turbines.

"Our first thought was to reach as large an audience as possible with the message that renewable energy can be viewed differently.

"Alec has given us a chance to help change those perceptions."

BACKERS' VIGIL 

WIND farm supporters are to stage a vigil at a public inquiry this morning in protest at opposition from defence chiefs.

Malcolm Reid, who lives at Riding Mill in Northumberland, has organised the peaceful demonstration for before the hearing into proposals for 59 turbines near Kirkwhelpington resumes.

The 64-year-old has invited other people concerned by climate change from across Tynedale and Newcastle to wave placards, in a bid to "embarrass" the Ministry of Defence.

The MoD has objected to the three proposed wind farms citing the impact on RAF radars and is to make its closing submissions at Tynedale Council chamber in Hexham this morning.

But Mr Reid, of Ash Tree Cottage, says it has "a complacent and blinkered perception of defence of the nation".

He takes issue with the MoD's view that it cannot see a way of mitigating the effects of the turbines on the radars, arguing it must not have the "talent" it had in the Second World War.

Mr Reid says Germany has 17,000 large wind turbines alongside which Nato operates and is urging the MoD to embrace the Tynedale proposals in a bid to learn how to live with wind farms.

Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd is seeking to erect 20 turbines at Ray Estate, Wind Prospect Developments Ltd 18 structures at Green Rigg Fell, Birtley, and Steadings Wind Farm Ltd 21 at Steadings, Kirkwhelpington.

The inquiry is due to conclude tomorrow.

CAPTION(S):

HOW THEY COULD LOOK Some of Alec Finlay's turbine designs.