October 4, 2008
England
Hugely controversial plans for a windfarm at Cumwhinton, near Carlisle, have been turned down.
But the company behind the scheme is likely to appeal.
Bolsterstone Innovative Energy wanted to build three turbines, up to 377ft high, at Newlands Farm close to M6 junction 42.
Its planning application brought more than 1,300 objections while 242 people wrote in support.
Carlisle City Council’s development control committee yesterday voted to reject the plans on the grounds that the turbines, 100ft taller than Dixon’s Chimney, would harm the landscape.
Councillor Peter Farmer said: “I didn’t come to Cumbria to look at giant turbines in front of an area of outstanding natural beauty. It’s totally in the wrong place. Putting these three turbines in would be the thin end of the wedge and bring further planning applications.”
Speaking after the meeting, Allison Stamper of the Newlands Windfarm Action Group, praised the decision.
“We are absolutely delighted,” she said.
“I know it’s round one and I believe Bolsterstone will appeal but it’s a good start.
“It’s amazing to think what we’ve achieved in only 10 weeks. I want to thank everyone for their support.”
Eight objectors addressed the meeting and one of them played a recording of wind turbines in Lincolnshire.
Jane Davis, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, said the noise was so bad she had abandoned her home half a mile away.
She added: “Our dogs no longer sleep in their kennels and riders say their horses get spooked.”
Colin Stamper, of Cringles Farm, would be only 400 yards from the Cumwhinton windfarm. He said: “I am directly down wind of all three turbines. I wonder if I will ever sleep properly again.”
David Morton, of Holme Meadow, Cumwhinton, said: “We will be plagued by noise and stress-related illnesses and be trapped, unable to sell our houses to move away.”
Brian Thompson, of Scotby, predicted that the windfarm would wipe between £5m and £7m from property values in Cumwhinton.
Burnetts solicitor Doug Claxton, speaking for the objectors, said the turbines would be a “discordant and dominant” feature.
And Tony Carvell, for Wetheral parish council, said: “If this goes through the city council will be responsible for the ruination of a beautiful part of the county.
“It is time to make a decision for the people.”
Bolsterstone director Mike Corker urged councillors to approve the plan.
“Any renewable energy scheme affects someone but lack of renewable energy affects us all,” he said. “This has been designed to extract maximum energy output for the minimum impact on the environment.”
Planning officer Angus Hutchinson also recommended that councillors approve the three turbines. He said they had to balance the national interest of boosting renewable energy against local objections.
Cumbria County Council and the Ramblers’ Association were against the scheme. But Natural England withdrew an objection after Bolsterstone satisfied it that bats would not be harmed.
There remained a concern, however, that the turbines might interfere with radios used by United Utilities.
Bolsterstone said the windfarm would generate electricity to supply 3,742 homes, a figure disputed by objectors.
It also said the windfarm would have a life of 25 years during which £15,000 a year would be paid into a community benefit fund.
By Julian Whittle
News & Star [1]
4 October 2008
URLs in this post:
[1] News & Star: http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.250607
This article is provided as a service of National Wind Watch, Inc.
http://www.wind-watch.org/news/
The use of copyrighted material is protected by Fair Use.