March 7, 2012
England

Wind is turning

By Pamela McGowan, News & Star, www.newsandstar.co.uk 7 March 2012

Carlisle villagers fighting plans to build a giant wind turbine near their homes have won their first battle.

Residents in Scotby say they were stunned to receive letters last week about plans for a 71-metre high structure on nearby farmland – and giving them just a week to respond.

Eddie and Sheila Thompson, of Holme Fauld, who are leading the campaign, said many of their neighbours did not even get the letters from Carlisle City Council.

They were originally told the consultation deadline was today but following protests, the council has now agreed to extend it until the end of the month. A spokesman said: “We want to ensure that all local residents have the opportunity to comment on the application. We are therefore going to extend the consultation period for comments until March 30 and will receive any comments up to that date.”

Mr Thompson welcomed the news, but said it was now up to the community to stand up and fight the proposals.

“My wife went round on Sunday and got 76 names of people who object. There were three people who were quite happy and about half a dozen with no real opinion.

“I’m pleased they’ve extended it. This is the kind of thing you really want to talk to your neighbours about. We’ve submitted an objection but this gives others more time.”

The planning application, was submitted on January 24 by Neil Fell of Wheelbarrow Hall Farm, Aglionby. He wants to build a single two-blade wind turbine, measuring 71 metres to the tip, on farmland at the north edge of Scotby, by the A69.

Mr Thompson said it will be clearly visible from the village and believes it will be the start of a much bigger development. He said: “We believe this turbine will be the start of many more. The people of Carlisle need to know because it won’t just be Scotby. This could happen in all the other villages, one by one they will get these masts.

“We know turbines have to be built but do not think they should be as big or as close to residential areas.”

The Ministry of Defence has also objected to the plans on the grounds that the turbine could interfere with radar at nearby RAF Spadeadam.

Mr Thompson is also concerned about the way the plans have been advertised.

“We are concerned that very few people actually know about this. We only got our letter last week and the deadline said this Wednesday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/07/wind-is-turning/