October 16, 2010
England

Wind turbine would spoil ‘tranquil’ country view claims north Cumbrian council

By Phil Coleman, The Cumberland News, www.cumberlandnews.co.uk 15 October 2010

Wetheral parish council has voiced its opposition to a proposed wind turbine which one of its members says will spoil an otherwise “tranquil” country view.

Carlisle City Council has yet to decide whether or not to approve the plan to build a turbine on land at Low Wood Farm, between Burnrigg and Great Corby.

With a proposed height of 24.7 metres, the turbine would have a reinforced concrete base and would be erected on land to the south east of Low Wood Farm.

Wetheral parish council has opposed the application.

Nigel Holmes, who represents the Great Corby ward, said he supported reducing carbon emissions but this was an inappropriate site for a new wind turbine.

He told The Cumberland News: “At the moment, the site of this proposed turbine is peaceful and tranquil.

“However, the detriment to the visual environment would far outweigh the benefit of carbon saving. There are many far less intrusive sites for such a windmill than at the heart of one of the most beautiful stretches of the lower Eden valley.

“This is a tranquil setting undisturbed by modern structures outside the villages.

“It would be visible from a wide area including Warwick, Warwick Bridge, Corby Hill, Great Corby, Burnrigg and possibly from the fringes of Heads Nook. This proposal is as environmentally ludicrous as that proposed for Cumwhinton which we fought and won a year ago.”

Fellow parish councillor Barry Earp said English planners should follow the Scottish policy of ensuring turbines are at least 1,000 metres away from residential property.

“This turbine would be only 490 metres away from the houses at Burnrigg,” he added.

In its discussion of the planning application, parish councillors heard that there was no mention of the River Eden, even though the windmill would dominate the valley less than a mile from the river – a site of special scientific interest.

The application, submitted by the occupant of Low Wood Farm, will be decided at the next meeting of the council’s development control committee on November 12.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/10/16/wind-turbine-would-spoil-tranquil-country-view-claims-north-cumbrian-council/