August 16, 2012
England

Poultry farm turbines go-ahead

News & Star | www.newsandstar.co.uk 16 August 2012

A poultry farm near Wigton has been given permission to put up two wind turbines, despite objections from neighbours.

G A Moffatt & Partners sought permission from Allerdale Council for turbines, which would be 46m to the tip, to provide power for four poultry sheds at Thornby Villa, Thornby.

The move has led one local resident to pledge to go to the High Court if that was what it would take to get the move overturned.

The council received 10 letters of objection raising concerns about the scales and potential impact on the landscape, property values and noise levels.

Objectors said the development would be of an industrial scale and other green energy schemes would be more appropriate.

One letter of support was received.

Councillor Nicky Cockburn said the turbines would be 10m higher than one turned down in Kirkbridge in June.

She added: “I think it’s a bit incongruous that this one has been recommended for approval.”

Councillor Binky Armstrong said: “These are industrial turbines to my mind. There are a lot of residential properties around it.”

After proposals to both approve and reject the plan, planning permission was eventually granted on the casting vote of development panel chairman Peter Bales.

Thornby resident Peter Ovens, who had objected to the proposal, described the decision as a disgrace and pledged to take the matter as far as it could go.

He added: “I think it’s a disgrace that it’s gone through.

“The impact on local residents has not been taken into consideration.”

“I have worked my fingers to the bone to contribute to this community.

“I have put an extension on my house. I have worked blood, sweat and tears to get my home to what it’s going to be.

“From my garden I’m now going to have 36.2m hub height turbines. This is on an industrial scale.

“It’s appalling that we can be subjected to such a carbuncle on the landscape.

“Alternatives were not considered. They can use ground source heat pumps and solar energy

“It’s a money-making exercise for the farmers.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/16/poultry-farm-turbines-go-ahead/