October 29, 2013
England

Cumbrian council hits back in turbines row

By Jonny Irving | Times & Star | www.timesandstar.co.uk

Allerdale council has defended its actions during a planning process in which it failed to stop permission for three huge wind turbines being built.

Controversial plans to build three 328ft wind turbines at Potato Pot, near Branthwaite, will now go ahead after the developer won its appeal.

The council had previously denied developers Airvolution Energy permission to build the turbines, saying that the project would have “significant and adverse effects on the landscape” and to the Lake District.

However, the council were criticised during the process by government planning inspector John Braithwaite, who said that in 17 years he had never seen such a poorly presented case.

The energy firm were given the go-ahead over the weekend after a public inquiry heard the case earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Allerdale council said: “During the course of the appeal, Allerdale Borough Council made it clear that it believed it had not acted unreasonably in refusing this planning application as members of the development panel felt the proposal would have significant and adverse effects on the landscape, the Lake District National Park and the community.

“We are, of course, disappointed with the inspector’s decision and comments. We will now look closely at the details of the report and will take any comments on board.”

Airvolution further criticised the council during the inquiry, saying that it was a “tortuous task” to understand what the council’s case was.

The council received 19 objections, including one from the county council. It had not had any letters of support for the development proposed for the ‘Potato Pot’ coal mine area.

Work on the turbines, that will power around 3,800 homes, is expected to begin in the second half of next year.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/10/29/cumbrian-council-hits-back-in-turbines-row/