April 14, 2012
England

Wind turbine would hurt Cumbrian village – council

By Julian Whittle, News & Star, www.newsandstar.co.uk 14 April 2012

A 328ft wind turbine near Cumwhinton would have “significant adverse visual effects”, Carlisle City Council will argue at a public inquiry.

Bolsterstone Innovative Energy has appealed against the council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a turbine at Newlands Farm near junction 42 of the M6. The firm originally wanted to put three turbines there.

That scheme was thrown out in 2010 after an inquiry, prompting Bolsterstone to table two more planning applications – one for a single turbine, the other for two. Both brought more than 1,100 objections.

They were rejected by councillors in November on the grounds that the turbines would be too close to Cringles Farm and Beech Cottage, and to 14 new homes due to be built next to Beech Cottage.

The council is now shifting its position ahead of the appeal, which will be heard by a planning inspector at Carlisle Civic Centre from May 29 to 31.

Its adviser, Mark Steele Consultants, believes other nearby homes will be hit too. These include properties along the B6263 in Cumwhinton and in Cumwhinton Road and Garlands Road.

The council is also investigating the potential impact on homes in Holme Meadow and Broomfallen Road. An outline of its case says: “There are other properties in the vicinity upon which the turbine will have significant adverse visual effects/harm to amenity, which further justify refusal.

“The council will argue that the harm is not outweighed by the benefits of the proposal and that the appeal should therefore be dismissed.”

Villagers will also be represented at the appeal. They raised more than £23,000 to fight the first public inquiry in 2009.

They say they need another £13,500 to pay for a legal team and expert witnesses to put their case this time.

Meanwhile, 58 people have objected to a planning application from EDF Energy Renewables to renew consent for a temporary wind-monitoring mast at Solway Moss near Longtown.

The mast collects data to assess the site’s suitability for a windfarm. A proposal for nine turbines up to 413ft high was refused in December. Objectors say there is no longer a need for a monitoring mast, given the windfarm has been turned down.

The application for the mast goes before councillors on Friday. Planning officers are recommending it is approved.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/14/wind-turbine-would-hurt-cumbrian-village-council/