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Latest supporting documentation update: 24/11/2025
Norham Community Renewable Development Planning documents published (24/11/25)
Planning Documents – Norham Community Energy Project.
A public meeting about the Renewable Energy Project (REP) held on 25th September 2025.
Norham Development Trust has worked on the Renewable Energy Project for the past 4–5 years, at the request of the previous Parish Council, and has delivered on its objectives: presenting the community with a planning application and the funding to make that application.
The proposal is for a solar array and one wind turbine, together generating around 10 MWh per annum of electricity. Both sources of energy would be required to make the scheme viable, with the aspiration that—once costs were met—it could provide a minimum of £50,000 a year for community benefit, from about three years after commencement.
The project was supported by grant funding dedicated for community energy initiatives. The funding carried deadlines, the last of which falls on 30th September 2025; it is no longer possible to meet this timescale. The project is technically ready to move forward to planning, but this cannot happen without clear evidence of community support, which has not yet been established.
The survey reports prepared for the project will largely remain valid for a few years and will be made available for public review. If there is interest in pursuing this or any other sustainable energy scheme, a new group of 4–5 volunteers would be needed to take ideas forward on behalf of the community.
Public meeting at Norham Village Hall, Wednesday 25th June 2025
Renewable Energy Project review and update.
There was a presentation, to a well attended audience, by Janet Young on behalf of Norham Development Trust Ltd.; following up from the Parish meeting held in November 2024. After the presentation there were questions and answers and discussion. For the full transcript of the presentation use the link: the presentation , or can be found here in supporting documentation.
NDT Ltd indicated that, beyond its outstanding commitments, it would not be pursuing the project and would welcome the formation of a new community renewable group. NDT would offer such support to the group that it could provide as required.
Those interested in being involved in a new group are encouraged to make their interest known to any of the directors of NDT Ltd.
Statement 14-11-24
Statement from Norham Development Trust Ltd. in relation to the Norham Renewables Project
At a meeting with Norham Parish Council on 15th October, Norham Development Trust Ltd. (NDT) explained its reasons for putting the planning application for the Renewables Project on hold. NDT subsequently had a meeting with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) on 4th November where it was agreed that, owing to the absence of an application for planning permission, the grid connection offer that had been secured by this project would now be withdrawn.
These circumstances necessitate that the project is paused, which provides the opportunity for members of the community to become further informed, and consider whether they wish to engage with a community renewable energy project and support Northumberland County Council’s programme to address Climate Change.
NDT sees a Parish Poll as an effective means of determining if the community is supportive of such a project. A Poll would ideally take place at a point when a fuller amount of information is available, shared and debated. Given that the project is not going forward immediately, a poll at this moment would seem to incur an unnecessary expense to the Parish Council.
It is proposed that a newly-formed group is developed to carry any such project forward which would be independent of Norham Development Trust Ltd.
Update 21-09-24
Norham Development Trust Ltd
Norham Renewable Project
Following recent meetings with SPEN (Scottish Power Energy Network) and the North East and Yorkshire Net Zero Hub, and in light of recent concerns about the proposed renewable energy project, Norham Development Trust Ltd has decided to withhold any planning application for the time being.
We hope this will provide an opportunity for further discussions within the whole community about this project.
Update 13-08-24
Wind turbine visualisations added to Supporting Documentation. Following a request visualisation documents have been uploaded to the Supporting Documentation page. These files are photographs taken from various viewpoints in the area with an image of the proposed wind turbine superimposed on the landscape. These were exhibited at the consultation meetings held at Norham Village Hall in June 23 and April 24. The file quality has been reduced for reasons of internet capacity but full files can be made available by request.
Update 02-07-2024
FAQ – Frequently Asked Question document added to supporting documentation
An insert of information in the Norham Newsround distributed on Monday 1st of July included a document incorporating the “Story so Far” as published here on the 17 – 05-24 (see below) along with the addition of a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) arising from comments received with the April questionnaire as well as emails received to the NDT email address. norhamdt@gmail.org
Update 17-05-2024
The Story So Far- Norham Community Energy Project. How did it start, how was it funded, and where has it got to now.
A document is now available in supporting documentation which details the historic activities and timeline that has brought the project to where it stands now. ” Norham-Community-Energy-Project-the-story-so-far“
Norham Development Trust Ltd (NDT) directors were sorry to accept the resignation (09/05/24) of Victoria Craig as director, who remains supportive of NDT aims and objectives.
Update 09-05-2024
A new document is available which gives a full explanation of how and why Norham Development Trust Ltd was set up. This is available in a link What is Norham Development Trust. on the Supporting Documentation page
A copy of the Incorporation Document from the Companies House website which was lodged on the 6th February 2019 is also available on the Supporting Document page.” NDT-Incorporation-Document-06-Feb-2019“
Community Feedback Questionnaire response and update 27/04/24
NORHAM DEVELOPMENT TRUST LTD
Norham Renewables Energy Project —– Questionnaire Results
Below you will find the results of the recent questionnaire, as counted and reported upon by Isabel Hunter, who was asked to act as independent adjudicator. The boxes were collected and delivered intact to Isabel on 11th April, and her signed report was received via email on 19thApril. The principal signed version, and completed questionnaires, were collected from her by NDT on 23rd April.
Isabel Hunter runs her own courier service. She became a Berwick Borough Councillor in 2003 and was the Leader of Berwick Borough Council when Northumberland County Council became a Unitary Authority. She first became a parish clerk in 2002. She is currently clerk to a number of parish councils in North Northumberland, and to date she has been a County Councillor for 15 years. She is also Chair of Tweedmouth Prior Park First School governors.
NDT had a meeting on 25th April to look at the questionnaire responses for the first time. We would like to thank all those who took the time to respond to the questionnaire, and/or comment via our email address norhamdeveloptrust@gmail.com. The result of the exercise shows a majority in favour of the project as things stand, but a significant number of responses, mainly of those against the project, have requested additional information. A number of emails were also received requesting clarification and further detail.
We acknowledge that, beyond the information that has been provided, there is a request for more detail and for it to be made more accessible. There is information that can be provided now, and some that it is not available yet for a number of reasons – for example the surveys required for any planning application are only now in the process of being prepared as until recently there was not the funding to pay for them. The intention is to make progress with the requests for information as soon as possible.
As previously indicated a website has been set up at www.norhamdt.org for this purpose, and the information available to us will be posted as and when it is possible.
You will find information and documentation available on this website. To view these documents ‘click’ on the small box with the three bars at the top right hand side of this page and choose “Supporting Documentation” from the black area which will drop down from the top of the page. This will give you access to the documents.
The Independent Adjudicator Report on the Questionnaire
