February 12, 2015
England

Planners reject bid for wind turbines in north Cumbria

By Sarah Moore | News & Star | 12 February 2015 | www.newsandstar.co.uk

A proposed windfarm that prompted more than 600 letters of objection has been thrown out by planners.

Twenty seven town and parish councils, Cumbria County Council and MPs Sir Tony Cunningham and Rory Stewart were among those who objected to West Coast Energy’s plans for three 115m-high turbines at Carwath, Rosley.

More than 580 people also sent in objections to Allerdale council.

Their main concerns related to the visual impact of the development and their cumulative impact in relation to other nearby turbines.

Six residents of Rosley living within a kilometre of the site addressed Allerdale council’s development panel about the plan.

The meeting heard that the nearest home was less than 700m from the site of the first planned turbine.

John Wilson said: “We might not have a right to a view but we do have a right to quality of life. Life is likely to be intolerable for us and our neighbours.”

Philip Hetherington added: “For me and my family there will be no escape from the overbearing presence of the turbines.”

Christine Robinson said: “The proposal reveals a lack of sensitivity to the area. An industrial landscape would be created.”

Stephen Salt, of West Coast Energy, said the development would contribute towards renewable energy targets and 10 per cent of its profits would go to a community fund, providing more than £1 million.

Referring to the hundreds of objections, councillor Martin Wood said: “There is insufficient evidence of support from the local community for a separation distance of less than 800m to be accepted.

“There are 10 properties within that 800m. Because of the cumulative effects and the distance and visual amenity I move refusal.”

The call for a seconder prompted a show of hands from the panel.

Councillor Binky Armstrong said: “We have got prime farmland. The siting of this huge industrial unit on it is totally unbelievable.”

The panel voted unanimously to reject the application on the grounds of visual impact.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/02/12/planners-reject-bid-for-wind-turbines-in-north-cumbria/