January 14, 2011
England

Longtown and Gretna turbines proposal protests increase

By Pamela McGowan, The Cumberland News, www.cumberlandnews.co.uk 14 January 2011

More than 120 objections have been submitted in protest at plans for a nine-turbine windfarm between Longtown and Gretna.

It follows a public drop-in session at Longtown community centre last week, where people were able to find out more about the turbines, which are set to be among the tallest in the country.

Prior to the meeting, Carlisle City Council had received 24 objections. But that has shot up, with total responses now standing at 124 – 123 of which are opposing the plans.

EDF Renewables is the firm behind the Solway Moss scheme. It wants to build turbines three times the height of Carlisle Civic Centre and just 100ft-shy of Blackpool Tower at Burn Peat Works, just north of the A6071 Gretna to Longtown Road.

Its planning application admits the windfarm would have “significant effects” for homes up to 1.5 miles away.

Among the objectors are Allan and Tracey Johnstone, of Millhill, Gretna, who fear the windfarm would have a major impact on surrounding communities.

Their letter of objection says: “The fact of the matter is that these localities are where people live, work and play and should be the most considered areas, not just swept aside to meet what are claimed to be national targets to cut carbon emissions.”

Ken Cavanagh, of Roweltown, added: “Industrial turbines are out of place in the countryside, they should be offshore. They will be a blight on the landscape.”

There are also concerns about the impact the scheme would have on tourism, and the knock-on effects to the wider local economy.

The harm the turbines could cause to local wildlife is also a major concern among the objectors, with fears that they would impact on migrating birds – including protected species of geese – and damage local eco-systems.

Public consultation will continue over the next couple of weeks.

Comments can be submitted to the city council by letter or via the planning section of its website.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/14/longtown-and-gretna-turbines-proposal-protests-increase/