March 31, 2015
England

Councillors set to call for refusal of South Cumbria turbine scheme

North West Evening Mail | 31 March 2015 | www.nwemail.co.uk

A county-wide committee is recommending the refusal of a divisive windfarm application.

Copeland Borough Council will decide upon proposals to install five 100m-high wind turbines on land south of HMP Haverigg.

But Cumbria County Council’s development control and regulation committee is expected to object to the plans when it holds its next meeting in Kendal tomorrow.

The application has split the Haverigg and Millom communities due to fears the height of the turbines will damage the look of the landscape, affect property values and increase noise levels.

An existing windfarm already lies to the north west of the prison but opponents argue any new farm would worsen living conditions for nearby residents.

A report to Cumbria’s development control committee tells councillors: “An objection is raised due to adverse landscape, visual and cumulative effects which are not outweighed by the environmental benefits associated with the renewable energy generation. There is concern that the introduction of five additional turbines, in such close proximity to the existing turbines, would greatly increase the influence of turbines upon the perception of landscape character.”

The application has been made by Partnership For Renewables, who have pledged a £75,000-a-year community package for the length of the 25-year project if approved.

The application is a revised resubmission of a proposal originally submitted in 2012.

The application back then was for the construction of five 120.5m turbines. At the time, it was refused by Copeland Borough Council.

The proposed development site is located 1km and 2.5km to the south west of Haverigg and Millom respectively. If granted, the windfarm could provide enough electricity to power 8,839 average- sized households.

Copeland Borough Council’s planning committee will make the final decision on PFR’s application.

The committee will next meet on Wednesday April 29 at 2pm at St John’s Church Hall in Hensingham.

A spokesman for the council said the prison turbine application was likely to be on the agenda.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/03/31/councillors-set-to-call-for-refusal-of-south-cumbria-turbine-scheme/