March 19, 2011
England

Plans lodged for six of Cumbria’s tallest wind turbines

By Linzi Watson, The Cumberland News, www.cumberlandnews.co.uk 18 March 2011

Plans have been lodged to build six of Cumbria’s tallest turbines on the edge of Longtown.

Energy company Cornwall Light and Power (CLP) want to develop the windfarm at Hallburn Farm, east of the town.

At 127m (416ft), the turbines would stand three times as tall as Carlisle Civic Centre and be visible for miles around.

But CLP say they expect the windfarm to generate enough energy to power more than 6,800 homes.

The energy company, who first discussed their plans in July 2009, are now asking Carlisle City Council for permission to build the renewable energy scheme as well as access tracks, a control building, underground electrical cables and a temporary construction compound.

A decision on the plans is expected in July.

This is just one of two large developments in the pipeline for Longtown. In April plans for nine turbines, each standing at 415ft, are expected to be debated by Carlisle City Council. Energy company EDF Renewables wants to build them at Solway Moss, between Gretna and Longtown.

This scheme has attracted strong opposition from locals.

County councillor for Longtown Val Tarbitt, who is scheduled to speak on Solway Moss at the April planning meeting, said that she is not aware of as strong a sense of opposition towards the Hallburn Farm development.

She added: “I don’t have personal view but I will support the view of my constituents.”

The planning application for Hallburn Farm states: “Cornwall Light and Power is proposing to install six 2MW turbines on the site, generating 33,600MWh of energy each year. “Importantly, energy generated would be fed into the local network, and the site is expected to generate enough energy to serve 6,876 households. “It is estimated that the Hallburn Farm turbines will prevent approximately 14,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions per annum.“The six turbines would have a maximum hub height of 80 metres and a maximum tip height of 127 metres.”The application adds: “The site is in a rural location on a former World War 2 airfield. “The runways remain intact and will, where possible, form a major part of the on site infrastructure. The runways will be used as internal access routes to the turbines, keeping the land taken out of agricultural production to an absolute minimum. This is a brown field site.”

CLP carried out a consultation in the town in June 2009 to invite general views on the scheme. And in June last year they hosted a public exhibition.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/03/19/plans-lodged-for-six-of-cumbrias-tallest-wind-turbines/