November 17, 2006
U.K.
U.K.
Anti-windfarm protestors will find out next month if plans for five 320 foot turbines near Allonby will go ahead.
Allerdale council’s development panel will meet on December 7 to decide if the Nuon Renewables scheme for Brownrigg Hall will be given permission.
More than 1,000 people have objected to the windfarm.
Barbara Brooks, who owns Manor House Caravan Park in Allonby, which overlooks the proposed site, said: “We feel better knowing that there is a definite date for the decision.
“It has been a tense couple of months and it will be good to know either way.
“You try and put it to the back of your mind, but there are still posters up everywhere reminding you of what is going on.”
She added that visitors to the caravan park had expressed concerns about the proposed windfarm and she feared it would have an effect on her business.
“If this one passes it will open the floodgates for more. People have to be ready to fight this.
“There has been some apathy in the village since the plans came out, but knowing there is a decision coming soon should get people interested again,” she added.
The plans also involve building weather stations and roads.
A spokesman for Nuon Renewables said: “We are confident that the development is suitable for this area and location. Wind power contributes to the fight against climate change which is the most pressing environmental concern of the century.
“Residents have discussed renewable energy and the issues relating to the proposals in a very constructive and open manner.”
Allerdale council registered 1,100 protests from people from all over the UK objecting to the scheme.
Nuon Renewables said the windfarm would provide electricity for more than 5,000 homes.
Local campaigners raised a number of objections, including the site of the windfarm.
Although the turbines would be just outside the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, residents fear it would blight tourism and house prices.
A survey by Nuon Renewables claimed the effect on tourism would be negligible. This was supported by research carried out by Cumbria Tourism that showed one in 10 people would be put off.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/11/17/d-day-for-allonby-wind-turbines/