November 27, 2014
England

Cumbrian wind turbine plans rejected

By Sarah Moore | Times & Star | 27 November 2014 |

Plans for a wind turbine have been thrown out after objections from around 200 people.

Allerdale Council received 177 letters of objection from the public over the plans for Dundraw Farm, near Wigton.

Workington MP Sir Tony Cunningham lodged an objection, stating that the turbine would have a negative cumulative impact. Seven parish councils, including Dundraw and Wigton town council, also objected.

D J Harrison wanted to put up the 500kW turbine, which would be 67m high to its blade tip, to provide electricity to the National Grid to power an estimated 372 homes.

Agent Susan Bell, of Neo Environmental, said he had tried to consider the community in making his plans. But neighbours told Allerdale Council’s development panel that the turbine would affect the landscape and views and could make flooding on the site worse.

Scott Norris, who lives within 700m of the site, said more than 200 people had objected and the land was on an aquifer – an area of saturated rock. He added: “I can’t think it would be a very good idea to excavate and pour concrete into an aquifer or to plonk a wind turbine in what’s normally a lake.”

Chris Ingham said turbines should be erected offshore in large numbers rather than on a small scale in areas where they would affect residents.

He added: “There’s little evidence of local support.”

The council received one letter of support for the plans.

The Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty said the plan would affect views of the AONB.

The Environment Agency said the scheme should be carried out in accordance with a submitted flood risk assessment.

There were no objections from aviation authorities.

Planning officers recommended the plans be refused on the grounds of its cumulative impact on landscape and views.

Councillor Joan Wright moved refusal, seconded by councillor Carole Armstrong. The panel voted unanimously to refuse planning permission.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/11/27/cumbrian-wind-turbine-plans-rejected/