August 17, 2012
England

Cumbrians should ‘stand up and be counted’, claims anti-windfarm campaigner

The Cumberland News | www.cumberlandnews.co.uk 17 August 2012

An anti-windfarm campaigner has spoken out against the “bombardment” the area has received from wind energy companies.

Marion Fitzgerald, speaking on behalf of Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment (FORCE), made the statement after consultation closed on Allerdale council’s draft local plan.

Since the beginning of the year FORCE say that there have been more than 70 applications for wind turbines in the Allerdale area.

Two of the larger current applications are for a 200ft turbine at Boltongate and a 150ft turbine at Broom Hill near Aspatria.

The group have called on those who oppose windfarms to make their views heard by responding to applications.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “The fact is that we really do need to make the council aware that people have had enough of this bombardment by wind energy prospectors, who are travelling round the borough knocking on the doors of farms and small businesses and looking for the easiest places to put up their turbines.

“Hopefully enough responses have been generated to persuade policy makers to think very carefully about what will go into the next stage of the plan in terms of wind energy-related development.”

Allerdale’s new local plan will replace the one adopted in 1999 and now views have been gathered, the document will be submitted to the government after residents have another opportunity to comment in early 2013. A section of the plan deals specifically with renewable energy.

Councillor Mark Fryer, executive member with responsibility for planning policy, said: “Getting the local plan right is so important because it is the basis upon which councillors will make decisions about planning applications.

“This consultation is an important opportunity for communities and local businesses, and anyone else that has an interest in Allerdale, to influence how their community will develop over the next 15 years.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/17/cumbrians-should-stand-up-and-be-counted-claims-anti-windfarm-campaigner/