April 14, 2012
England

Prison support for green power project

North-West Evening Mail, www.nwemail.co.uk 14 April 2012

A windfarm development could cut carbon emissions at Cumbria’s only prison.

The five-turbine development on land adjacent to HMP Haverigg would see five 120.5 metre turbines erected which could generate enough power for more than 7,000 homes.

The project, from Partnerships for Renewables (PfR), also promises a £1m community fund over the 25-year lifespan of the site and could help cut C02 emissions at HMP Haverigg.

Prison governor Steve Valentine said: “We won’t draw an income from it.

“But as a public body looking at our green and renewable energy it’s worthwhile to get involved.

“In terms of community engagement and resources it’s what we want to do.”

But the proposals have raised some concerns from residents at Bankhead, in Haverigg, due to noise issues.

On Thursday (12/4) a drop-in session saw around 40 people attend to discuss the plans with engineers working on the proposed project.

Stuart Barnes, communications manager for PfR, said: “We didn’t have a huge turnout but in some ways this points to the fact most people might not have too many concerns.

“We have done a lot of work and we have written to around 2,600 people in Millom and Haverigg. Those people that did come were split around 50/50 in terms of support.

“People had questions about issues such as the noise but people had a lot of ideas about the community fund.”

Mr Barnes said Copeland Borough Council will be consulting with residents on the development but said even if the planning application is successful work would not start until late 2013.

Plans for the project, complete with a series of photo montages, are available to view online. A decision on the development is expected later this year. For more information visit www.pfr.co.uk/haverigg.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/14/prison-support-for-green-power-project/