January 26, 2013
England

Anger at plan for latest wind turbine in west Cumbria

News & Star | 26 January 2013 | www.newsandstar.co.uk

A planned wind turbine has outraged villagers who say they can already see 120 from their homes.

Protesters are furious after Renewables Unlimited LLP said it was interested in erecting a turbine on land near Lowca Lane at Seaton.

The firm has submitted a legal document to Allerdale Council about the possibility.

But those campaigning against the plans claim that there are a staggering 120 other turbines visible from where they want to build.

Marion Fitzgerald, chairwoman of FORCE, said that there are currently six wind turbine developments within six miles of the proposed development, resulting in dozens of masts.

And she went on to blast the development saying that taken in conjunction with the massive offshore array of turbines at Robin Rigg, there are viewpoints in the area where 120 wind turbines are clearly visible.

Stephen Riddick, of Leeches Terrace in Flimby, has also voiced his objections to the development.

In a letter of objection to the council, he said: “We are already inundated with wind turbines in the area. I find that these being inflicted upon us is a violation on our human rights and are only there for the financial gain of a few.”

The windfarms that are within 6.2 miles of the site are at the Voridian site, Oldside, Siddick, Flimby Hall and the potential development at Ewanrigg, which is currently being considered by the planning inspectorate.

Ms Fitzgerald has criticised proposals, saying that the area of visible landscape, covering both Allerdale and Copeland, has already received a great deal more that the number of turbines which the Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Document suggests it can accommodate.

“There can be no question that wind energy-related development has grown at a bewildering rate throughout this part of the borough and that cumulative impact must now be considered very serious in relation to all new applications for wind turbines.”

Another group to object to the scheme is the Westnewton Action Group.

Co-ordinator of the group, Alan Keighley, said: “Allerdale has done disproportionately more than any other part of Cumbria towards meeting its obligations, more so than any other similar size area throughout England.

Allerdale Council has replied to Renewables Unlimited LLP’s screening opinion request, saying that an environmental impact assessment is not required. The next step will be for a formal planning application to be submitted by the firm.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/01/26/anger-at-plan-for-latest-wind-turbine-in-west-cumbria/