December 15, 2011
England

Barrow turbine rejection praised

North-West Evening Mail, www.nwemail.co.uk 14 December 2011

Plans for a wind turbine near Furness Abbey have been rejected.

Barrow Borough Council’s planning committee chose to unanimously refuse a proposal for a 48–metre turbine at Bowesfield Farm in Stank.

But an application for a 42-metre turbine on the Askam Road side of the farm was accepted.

Planning officer Jason Hipkiss said the applications were at “opposite ends of the scale” in terms of their effect on the landscape.

The committee received objections to both of John Hornby’s applications from residents of Stank, Dalton and Newton.

Andrew Taylor, a professional geotechnical consultant from Parkhouse Court in Barrow, said he didn’t believe the Stank turbine would benefit anyone but the applicant.

Mr Taylor said: “The scheme is proposed as masquerading as a green energy scheme. I believe it isn’t. It is a commercial development which is for financial gain.”

Anthony Smith, of Johnson Street in Newton, said residents’ main concern with the Stank application was the noise. He said: “Whatever way the wind is blowing, the residents are likely to have a problem with noise.”

Alan Stoker, a member of Furness Wind Turbine Action Group, called for the committee to protect the Furness countryside.

Mr Stoker said: “I beg you now and in the future to vote for the good of Furness on all of these applications.”

Askam Road resident Phil Newbury said the application for the turbine near his house would only power 90 kettles at its full output.

Dominic Cooney, of development company CMS UK, spoke on Mr Hornby’s behalf for both applications and tried to address concerns.

A crowd of around 50 people burst into applause when the group chose to reject the Stank application, with members raising concerns the turbine would be visible from Furness Abbey.

But the Askam Road application was accepted after members chose to back Mr Hipkiss’ recommendation the turbine would have little negative impact on the area. He said: “We have got a location here which is filled with manmade structures and activity.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/15/barrow-turbine-rejection-praised/