September 29, 2014
England

We’ll fight plans for three wind turbines, say Cumbrian campaigners

By Pamela McGowan | News & Star | 29 September 2014 | www.newsandstar.co.uk

Campaigners have vowed to fight plans for three new wind turbines.

The site, to the north west of Aspatria towards Westnewton, is very close to three existing turbines fiercely opposed by more than 1,800 people.

The company Airvolution has not yet submitted a formal planning application.

But it is organising a public meeting at Aspatria Rugby Club to talk about what it hopes to do.

It believes the Lancarr site, just off the A596, is suitable for three turbines – but angry residents say this would effectively create a much bigger windfarm as it would be so close to the existing turbine site.

Airvolution has leafleted 1,100 households in the area, stating that the turbines would measure a maximum of 110 metres to blade tip and would power about 4,200 homes.

It would also create a community benefit fund of £30,000 a year – or more than £750,000 over its 25-year lifespan.

Archie Cadzow, project manager from Airvolution, said the meeting will help shape the plans ahead of submitting a formal application to Allerdale Council.

He added: “We are looking forward to introducing the project to the community and hearing their views. There are significant benefits associated with a windfarm, ranging from sourcing local contractors through to our community benefit fund. We are also keen to discuss the potential for shared ownership at this site.”

The company is separate to that which built the existing Westnewton turbines, which were originally refused by planners.

However an appeal by developer Broadview was upheld by a national inspector and went up earlier this year.

Alan Keighley, co-ordinator of the Westnewton Action Group, said: “This will effectively make it a six-turbine windfarm because of how close they are.

“We will fight this all the way. The three that are there are already having a terrible impact on the community.”

Aspatria councillor Bill Finlay could not comment on the proposal as he is a member of Allerdale’s development panel, which would consider any formal application. But he said the authority now has a new policy setting out how close turbines can be built to homes, and he will make sure any future applications do not breach it.

Airvolution already have planning consent for two other sites in Allerdale – a single turbine near the chemical works at Siddick and three turbines to the east of Lillyhall.

The community information day takes place between 2pm and 7pm on Thursday, October 9 at Aspatria Rugby Club.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/29/well-fight-plans-for-three-wind-turbines-say-cumbrian-campaigners/