March 22, 2012
England

Objectors fight 260ft turbine bid

By Margaret Crosbym The Whitehaven News, www.whitehavennews.co.uk 22 March 2012

Plans to install a wind turbine on land at Moorside Farm, Drigg have prompted an outcry from local residents who have raised a storm of objection and a petition.

They say the turbine will spoil what was voted Britain’s favourite view of the western fells.

Villagers who live in the Drigg, Seascale, Ravenglass and Holmrook area are up in arms about the prospect of an 80metre high turbine which they fear would adversely impact on the views of Scafell, Great Gable and Yewbarrow.

Details of the planning application were placed on display in Drigg village hall last Saturday at a hastily called meeting to discuss the implications, attended by around 80 people from the community.

Drigg and Carleton Parish Council have yet to discuss the application but so far Copeland planning department received 28 letters of objection and more are expected before the cut off date.

And a petition in opposition to the turbine, so far with over 100 names collected, will be passed to planners in support of the objectors’ case. Besides local objection, people from Hampshire, Devon and York have been expressing their dismay.

The application, from Stemwind Ltd of Strabane, Northern Ireland on behalf of farmer Stephen Shepherd of Moorside Farm, was lodged with Copeland planning department on March 2.

Stemwind have also applied on behalf of Mr J Hewitson for permission to erect a turbine on land near Yeorton Hall Farm, Haile, Egremont

And Sustainable Energy Systems of Preston have applied to put up a small scale wind turbine on land near Ellerbeck Barns, for Mr J Antins, of Ellerbeck Barns, Egremont.

The proposed Drigg turbine would be 260 ft tall and local people are worried that if approved, it could set a precedent within this scenic area.

Other points being made are:

the visual impact will be too great as the turbine will be seen from above Drigg beach and from throughout the village, and from Holmrook, Seascale and Ravenglass and also from the National Park

it would be erected on land very close to Hallsenna Moor, an ancient woodland habitat and would disturb the habitat

there would be ‘flicker’ disturbance when the turbine blades are turning in sunshine, especially for those who live at Stubble Green, 450metres away

there would also be noise disturbance in what is a very quiet area

there are concerns as to whether it would disturb the electro-magnetic field and impact on mobile phones and radios, and also

concern that the photos submitted in support of the application were taken at night and were somewhat ‘selective’ ie with trees, hedges and pylons in the sight lines.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/03/22/objectors-fight-260ft-turbine-bid/