January 3, 2014
England

Scheme for eight turbines in Cumbria scrapped

By James Johnson | The Cumberland News | 03 January 2014 | www.cumberlandnews.co.uk

An application for eight 320ft wind turbines has been withdrawn by the applicant.

More than 200 objections have been lodged against the plans to extend the High Pow windfarm, near Bolton Low Houses.

An MP and a number of parish councils have also come out against the proposed development, which has now been withdrawn by applicant company REG Windpower.

There are already three masts at the site and plans to extend this to 11 provoked anger.

In a letter to Allerdale Council, Mark Worcester, director of agent company Turley Associates, said: “For the avoidance of any doubt, this decision should not be taken as an acceptance of the views expressed by council officers, their consultants, or statutory consultees on the applications.

“Rather, the decision to withdraw has been made following an indication by council officers of their intention to report the application to members of the council’s planning committee without, we consider, REG being provided with adequate opportunity to respond to the issues which has been brought to their attention.

“As is confirmed within the national planning policy framework and national policy statement for renewable energy, there is clear and unequivocal support for further deployment of onshore wind turbines in appropriate locations where impacts are, or can be made, acceptable.”

Mr Worcester added that REG Windpower intend to make a further application to expand the site in spring 2014.

Campaign group Friends of Rural Cumbria’s Environment (FORCE) had objected strongly to the proposed expansion, organising a petition to this effect.

Marion Fitzgerald, Allerdale councillor for Boltons ward, drew attention to the objections of residents who live near the existing three turbines.

She said: “People in Allerdale feel their contribution is very high and they recognise exactly what’s happening at High Pow.

“They have had enough and I think the physical effects must not be underestimated.”

Crosscannonby, Waverton, Westward, Boltons, Wigton, Allonby and Silloth councils all stated their opposition to the plans.

And Workington MP Tony Cunningham argued that there are already too many turbines in the area.

The application being withdrawn comes as Allerdale Council development panel announced it was recommending refusal for a 283ft turbine near Abbeytown. The turbine at Kelsick House Farm resulted in objections from Waverton, Bromfield, Boltons, and Dundraw councils, as well as the Solway Rural Initiative.

Officers argued that the visual impact the turbine would have on the landscape would be unacceptable.