February 18, 2011
England

Cumbrian parish chairman resigns over windfarm approval

Times & Star, www.timesandstar.co.uk 17 February 2011

A parish council chairman has resigned after a planning inspector’s decision to approve a controversial wind farm at Westnewton, near Aspatria.

John Ryden,who was chairman of Westnewton parish council, said he had quit over the decision to overturn Allerdale council’s planning refusal for three turbines at Warwick Hall Farm.

Mr Ryden said: “We talk about localism, but it’s nonsense.

“Local politics is a waste of time if you can’t object to something that has a major impact on local people.”

Allerdale Council refused the scheme in 2008, but Broadview Energy appealed.

People spent three years fighting the plans and 1,850 letters of objection were lodged.

Workington MP Tony Cunningham spoke in support of local protesters at the planning inquiry last December.

Mr Ryden added: “We have certainly talked about leaving the village. We’ve all been shocked.”

Campaigners against applications to build more wind farms have banded together.

They hope to raise cash to pay for their own experts to support their fight.

Broadview Energy Ltd said the Westnewton project was expected to generate electricity for 3,500 households.

The firm intends to set up a community fund worth between £12,000 and £18,000 per year.

Tom Cosgrove, project manager at Broadview Energy, said: “We believe this to be a good project in a good location.”

l West Cumbria does not need any more wind farms says Workington MP Tony Cunningham – Page 8

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/18/cumbrian-parish-chairman-resigns-over-windfarm-approval/