August 25, 2010
England

Bid to build turbines on the Solway Moss

By Chris Story, News & Star, www.newsandstar.co.uk 25 August 2010

An energy firm will detail plans for a wind farm they claim would be capable of powering 10,000 homes next week.

EDF Energy Renewables wants to build nine turbines at Solway Moss, between Gretna and west of Longtown.

The company’s plans will be detailed at two public exhibitions featuring photomontages and 3-D simulations that will show the impact the structures would have on the border landscape.

Responses from the event will be reviewed ahead of a planning application for the development – named Beck Burn Wind Farm – being submitted to Carlisle City Council.

Margaret Hanson, EDF Energy Renewables’ project wind development coordinator said: “We have gathered an extensive amount of information on the site already and this consultation will also form an integral part of our preliminary investigations for this project.

“We’ve opted for informal sessions taking place during the day and in the evenings so those interested will be able to drop in whenever convenient and this will help us to see more people.”

EDF say local opinion is important to the plans. They will have experts, including environmental consultants, on-hand to answer any questions people may have.

The firm claims the nine proposed two megawatt turbines, power from which would be fed into the National Grid, could save an estimated 17,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide in its first year of operation.

Ms Hanson said: “We believe the site is very suitable for a wind farm and if approved, would provide low carbon energy for years to come.”

EDF is encouraging people attending the exhibition to complete a feedback, results of which they say will be addressed in an environmental impact statement, which will form part of the planning application.

The exhibitions will be held at Gretna’s Richard Greenhow Centre between 2pm and 7pm on Tuesday and at Longtown Memorial Hall between 10am and 7.30pm on Wednesday.

Consultation on the scheme will run until September 15.

Feedback can be given at the exhibition or by returning a form in freepost envelopes.

People can also comment online at www.beckburn-windfarm.co.uk or by calling 0800 169 8766.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/08/25/bid-to-build-turbines-on-the-solway-moss/