December 10, 2013
England

Controversial Cumbria turbine to be built after appeal by firm

North-West Evening Mail | 09 December 2013 | www.nwemail.co.uk

A controversial plan to build a towering wind turbine to power a Cumbria candle factory has been given the go-ahead after the government over-turned its refusal on appeal.

The proposal to build the 61-metre turbine on land near Wax Lyrical in Lindal was thrown out by South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee in December last year.

The mast was to be 30 feet taller than Nelson’s Column and was described as a “beast” by one planning councillor.

But the Planning Inspectorate has now reviewed the decision and decided to approve the application.

The report from the Inspectorate concluded: “There would be only slight other harm to visual amenity or by reason of noise emissions. Overall this identified harm is here clearly outweighed by the strong economic and environmental benefits.”

The plan was driven by the high energy demand of the candle manufacturing plant which the turbine will power.

The application said the reduction in costs will help the company remain competitive. It would also allow the business to market its products as being produced in a sustainable manner.

Joanne Barber, Wax Lyrical managing director, said: “As the Wax Lyrical customer becomes increasingly environmentally aware, I believe that this improvement to our ‘green credentials’ will be received favourably by our customers.

“Furthermore, energy costs are a significant part of our manufacturing costs, not least because we must keep our wax warm to blend it and pour it and then chill it to make a candle. Using wind power to meet the majority of our energy needs will give us a cost saving and stable energy pricing for future years.”

At the time, objections were received from Urswick, Pennington and Lindal and Marton parish councils, as well as from 18 nearby residents. But the plans were supported by Furness Enterprise.

Alfred Waite, Lindal and Marton Parish Council chairman, said: “If they have won the appeal, there’s not much you can do about it, unfortunately.

“It affects more people in South Lakeland than it does the people of Lindal, because the bit where they are putting it borders on the Urswick side of the village.

“I can’t understand why, with all the buildings they have, they can’t put solar panels up instead.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/12/10/controversial-cumbria-turbine-to-be-built-after-appeal-by-firm/