September 8, 2012
England

Plan for 328ft turbines near Workington sparks air safety fears

Times & Star | www.timesandstar.co.uk 7 September 2012

Plans to build three wind turbines on a former opencast mine site near Workington have been deemed as unsafe for airplanes.

National Air Traffic Services has objected to the plans lodged with Allerdale council by Airvolution Energy Limited to erect the turbines, up to 328ft in height, on land at Potato Pot, Branthwaite.

Aviation experts said the turbines could interfere with radar equipment and the proposal is deemed to be unacceptable.

A spokesman for National Air Traffic Services said: “Where we do object, it is always on the grounds of aviation safety and efficiency as turbines can create ‘clutter’ on radar screens and potentially disrupt our operations.”

Airvolution said that the structures, which would be two-thirds the height of Blackpool Tower, could produce enough electricity to supply about 3,884 households.

Papcastle and Greysouthen parish councils have also written to Allerdale council, expressing concern about the turbines. Other individual objections have been received.

Shelia Connor, of Little Broughton, said: “This beautiful area is already blighted by dozens of these extremely inefficient turbines.

“The situation is ridiculous and the cost of these heavily subsidised turbines is phenomenal.”

Kenneth Needham, of Main Street, Greysouthen, said: “It is just another massive folly of our so-called experts and politicians who are remote from our area imposing their pipe dreams where the votes are fewer.”

Mr and Mrs Gate, of Branthwaite, wrote to the council to say that the turbines would be too close to their home and would affect its value.

They added that the view would be blighted by the excessive height of the turbines.

Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment objected on a number of grounds, including the size of the turbines and their effect on animal habitats.

In its planning application, Airvolution gives a detailed description of the proposed three turbines, which would each be no bigger than 328ft to the tip of the highest blade, with a stone and concrete base.

A new access road to the turbines would be built from Branthwaite Road.

Allerdale council will make the final decision.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/08/plan-for-328ft-turbines-near-workington-sparks-air-safety-fears/