May 19, 2015
England

Friends object to Kirkby Moor Wind Farm proposal

By Carl Fallowfield on 18/05/2015 | Cumbria Crack | www.cumbriacrack.com

Friends of the Lake District has submitted a detailed letter of objection in response to an application to South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) for a new wind farm at Kirkby Moor.

The proposal includes the erection of 6 turbines with a blade tip height of up to 115m.

The main reasons cited for its objection to the wind farm are:

• The proposal would result in unacceptable visual harm to the landscape due to the change in the turbine size compared to the existing turbines on Kirkby Moor.
• The development would have a significant negative impact on local landscape character including on the setting of the Lake District National Park because of the cumulative impact from nearby built/under construction/consented wind turbines along with the proposed route of the National Grid North West Coast Connections pylons.
• The visual impact arising from this development in such close proximity would result in significant harm to the landscape of the National Park and people’s enjoyment of it.
• The intrusive nature of the proposal would impact on the nature conservation interests of the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and on recreational activities on Kirkby Moor and in the Lake District National Park.

Friends of the Lake District thinks that if the proposed windfarm is built, it would have a very negative impact on the landscape, changing its character significantly and that despite the existing turbines at the site, the intrinsic qualities of the area are still of a landscape dominated by nature.

It has significant concerns about the impact of the new turbines on users of Coniston Water as if the windfarm is approved by SLDC, the proposed wind farm will be clearly visible from the centre of the lake with all six turbines visible, prominent and skylined.

Kate Willshaw, Planning Officer at Friends of the Lake District, “To impose turbines of this height on one of the most cherished spots for quiet enjoyment of the special qualities of the Lake District National Park is completely unacceptable.”

The applicant suggests that this area is already degraded because of the existing windfarm and other windfarms close by. Contrary to that view, Friends of the Lake District believes that because of existing developments it is even more important that the area is safeguarded from further man-made features to protect the wider, stunning landscape. And in addition, the decommissioning and removal of the twelve existing 45m turbines by 2018 when they come to the end of their planning life will actually result in a net benefit for the landscape of Kirkby Moor and the setting Lake District National Park.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/05/19/friends-object-to-kirkby-moor-wind-farm-proposal/