March 17, 2016
England

Controversial Dent Fell turbine will not be built

By Andrew Clarke | The Whitehaven News | March 17, 2016 | www.whitehavennews.co.uk

A highly controversial wind turbine will NOT be built at the foot of the picturesque Dent Fell – the government has ruled.

Copeland Council rejected plans last year for the 48m-high structure on farmland at Cobble Hall, Cleator Moor, having received strong objections from local residents and councillors.

The applicant, David Spedding, challenged the decision, but his appeal has now been thrown out by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

The Inspectorate’s Philip Asquith agreed with Copeland’s assessment that the “dominating” three-blade turbine would case “considerable harm to the character and appearance” of the area.

Mr Asquith said: “The turbine would be seen in views across the Ehen Valley from the A595 to the north of Egremont, and from the minor road off the A595 dropping to Woodend.

“From Longlands Lake, it would be seen above the trees surrounding the lake and within the context of the rising land of Dent Fell.

“It is also likely to be a prominent landscape element for those on the nationally-recognised Coast to Coast Walk.”

He added that the local objections from those concerned about visual impact were “considerable”, and the positives in terms of renewable energy did not outweigh the harm the turbine would cause.

The application had attracted 163 letters of protest from residents, in addition to objections from Egremont Town Council, Cleator Moor Town Council and the National Trust.

Objector Elaine Rudd said: “This area is the gateway to the fells. Any gain would be outweighed by the visual and environmental devastation it would cause.”

Fellow objector Ian McIntyre added: “This could be really detrimental to the area and the local community.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/03/17/controversial-dent-fell-turbine-will-not-be-built/