May 15, 2015
England

Cumbria County Council ‘strongly objects’ to plan for 115m wind turbines

North West Evening Mail | 14 May 2015 | www.nwemail.co.uk

County bosses are to “strongly object” to plans for six wind turbines – each taller than Big Ben – at a beauty spot.

Cumbria County Council’s development control committee is now officially recommending the proposals for the new windfarm on Kirkby Moor are thrown out.

But the final decision on whether the 115m high structures can be constructed on the site now rests with South Lakeland District Council as the planning authority for the area.

County council member, Councillor Lawrence Fisher said: “I am perturbed by the size of these things.

“I am also very concerned that if we give permission to this or agree with it we might set a precedent for future sites.”

Cllr Fisher added: “I think we should send a message out that you don’t get permission for a second windfarm just because there is one already.”

Fellow development control member Cllr Ernie Wilson said: “I can’t see any reason why we should approve this at all.

“I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to be honest.

“For some people even the slightest view of this would be unacceptable and I think the whole project is unacceptable.”

The location, which is a registered Site of Special Scientific Interest, already has 12 wind turbines which stand at just 42m after planning consent was granted in 1993. But permission for the structures will expire in 2018 when they must be removed from Kirkby Moor.

Applicant The Pegasus Group, on behalf of RWE Innogy, claims new technology would harness more power output from the six new turbines than the 12 already in place.

But, the county council’s development control committee agreed the potential harm to the landscape was not outweighed by the environmental benefits associated using the site as a renewable energy source.

The news was welcomed by members of the campaign group Stop Turbines Attacking Rural Cumbria.

STARC member Arthur Peter, from Gawthwaite, near Ulverston, said: “So far we have around 440 neighbour objections as well as concerns on record from a number of different agencies and bodies.

“This decision is good news. Perhaps we can begin to imagine what Kirkby Moor would look like without these turbines.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/05/15/cumbria-county-council-strongly-objects-to-plan-for-115m-wind-turbines/