Planners throw out controversial windfarm

Credit: By Andrew Clarke | www.in-cumbria.com 12 September 2012 ~~

Translate: FROM English | TO English

A controversial windfarm which drew more than 650 letters of protest has been turned down.

Weddicar Rigg, an elevated area of land between Moresby Parks and Frizington, would have housed six 115-metre turbines and associated infrastructure, if planning permission had been granted by Copeland Council planning panel.

Members had been urged by officers to approve the plans when they met this afternoon (Wednesday). They had been told that the package of community benefits – including a £50,000 apprentice scheme with Lakes College and a minimum £30,000-a-year donation to a community fund – would outweigh the harm.

However, the councillors unanimously rejected the application by Banks Renewables, which had said that contracts worth £3.5million would be on offer to local companies – and 25 to 30 jobs will be created – during the construction.

But because the councillors’ refusal went against the council officers’ recommendation, the application will go back before the panel for a second opinion at October’s meeting.

All three parish councils covered by the windfarm had objected. Moresby, Arlecdon and Frizington and Weddicar all raised concerns about visual impact in a rural setting, and the harmful effect they feel the windfarm will have on tourism and wildlife. Letters had also been sent to Copeland by 655 residents. Their concerns included devaluation of property and the cumulative impact in an area already “overrun” with wind energy developments.

Source: By Andrew Clarke | www.in-cumbria.com 12 September 2012

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions

(via Stripe)

(via Paypal)

Share: