October 24, 2015
England

Horse riding centre wins battle to erect wind turbine

By Jonny Irving | News & Star | 24 October 2015 | www.newsandstar.co.uk

Plans to construct a huge wind turbine next to a popular horse riding centre have been passed.

Mother-of-three Mandy Wilson, 54, asked permission to build a 200ft high turbine at her business – the Greenlands Equestrian Centre at Wreay, on the outskirts of Carlisle.

She told the News & Star earlier this week that the financial future of her business could be in serious jeopardy should Carlisle City Council planners not approve the scheme.

Her cause gathered strong local support,with those in favour of the proposals lodging a26-name petition to the authority.

A further five letters of support were also received shortly before yesterday’s meeting of the development control panel.

Mrs Wilson, who lost her husband to cancer last year, feared however, that objectors – including Penrith and the Border MP Rory Stewart – might persuade councillors to vote against the plans.

Among the concerns put forward by objectors were the turbine’s close proximity to other residential properties and the amount of turbines already in the area.

Speaking at the meeting, planning officer Christopher Hardman, said: “The support comes clearly from those who use the business and who are not the same people who live in the proximity.”

Despite the concerns, councillors waved through the scheme, which had been recommended for approval by the authority’s planning officers.

Mrs Wilson estimated that the wind turbine would cut overheads by £24,000, helping to keep the business which she has run since 1991 open.

They currently look after 80 horses at the centre.

In a statement on the Greelands Equestrian Centre Facebook page, those who run the business were pleased with the result.

The statement read: “Thank you all for all your support. Planning committee approved wind turbine for Greenlands this morning! Fantastic news for the future.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/10/24/horse-riding-centre-wins-battle-to-erect-wind-turbine/