November 28, 2011
England

Group celebrates failed turbine bid

North-West Evening Mail, www.nwemail.co.uk 28 November 2011

A failed application for a single wind turbine has given anti-windfarm demonstrators fresh hope.

The bid to install the 47.5 metre wind turbine at Beck Farm near Millom was turned down by Copeland Borough Council planners on the grounds it would have had a harmful effect on the surrounding landscape.

The plans were submitted by landowner Robert Tyson.

Around 10 applications for wind turbines have been submitted to Barrow Borough Council in the past six months.

A single turbine application at Lindal Cote Farm was controversially passed by Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee on November 16.

Alan Stoker, a member of Furness Wind Turbine Action Group, said: “We can only be encouraged by Copeland’s rejection of this single wind turbine. Let’s hope that Barrow’s planning committee are as forward thinking with the nine current turbine applications otherwise our rural landscape will be ruined for no gain other than commercial reasons for the next 25 years.”

A spokesman for Copeland Borough Council said the decision had been made in line with the council’s area plan runs until 2016. Copeland Borough Council’s development officer said: “The proposed siting of one large turbine, some 47.5 metres in overall height, would introduce an isolated, prominent feature, incongruous in its surroundings, which would have a materially harmful effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding rural landscape.

“Also there has been insufficient information provided to demonstrate that there is unlikely to be a potential noise nuisance to nearby residential properties.”

A consultation is taking place on Wednesday in Haverigg about a separate plan for a five turbine site at HMP Haverigg.

Residents are said to be split on the controversial topic.

Millom Mayor Councillor Audrey Gabbert said: “I agree (with the refusal) I think they’re ugly.

“The only people to benefit from wind turbines are the people making them and the people whose land they go on.

“All you see when you look out is wind turbines – I think they are a con and they will only last so long. At some point they are going to be a great big scrap yard.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/11/28/group-celebrates-failed-turbine-bid/