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Plans for 328ft wind turbines at Cumbrian village are rejected
Credit: By Julian Whittle, News & Star, www.newsandstar.co.uk 12 November 2011 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
Proposals for 328ft-high wind turbines on the edge of Cumwhinton have been rejected.
Carlisle city councillors yesterday unanimously refused two planning applications from Bolsterstone Innovative Energy – one for a single turbine, the other for two.
The decision was greeted by shouts of “yes” and spontaneous applause from villagers who packed the council chamber at Carlisle Civic Centre.
Bolsterstone originally wanted to build three 377ft turbines at Newlands Farm near junction 42 of the M6.
That scheme was thrown out last year after a public inquiry.
The inspector said the turbines would be too close to Cringles Farm and Beech Cottage.
Councillors reckoned nothing had changed, despite planning officers’ recommending that the application for a single turbine should be approved.
Belah councillor David Morton said: “Building that thing there, whether it’s one, two or three turbines, it’s a blot on the landscape.”
Longtown’s Ray Bloxham said: “It’s quite oppressive, no question about it.”
The plans brought more than 1,100 objections. Several objectors addressed councillors in person.
Jack Stamper, of Cringles Farm, said: “To give an example of the scale, imagine standing underneath Dixon’s Chimney [in Carlisle], imagine raising that 20 metres in the air and spinning it at 160mph.”
Jean Burton, of Beech Cottage, said: “The view from my kitchen, lounge, bedroom, conservatory and garden will be dominated by these turbines.
“If windfarms are necessary, why should they be so close to houses like mine?
“If there are any human rights, nobody should have a turbine within 600 metres of their home.
“My life will never be the same again.”
Brian Thompson, of Scotby, claimed the turbines would distract drivers on the M6.
Solicitor Doug Claxton, on behalf of the objectors, showed a moving photo montage of the proposed turbines as viewed from a bedroom at Cringles Farm.
He asked councillors: “Would you like to see this structure when you wake up in the morning?”
Another objector claimed house prices in Cumwhinton would fall by between 25 and 33 per cent.
Viv Dodd, agent for Bolsterstone, pledged that the company would withdraw proposals for two turbines if councillors approved its application for one.
He added: “Cringles Farm is 420 metres east of the proposed turbine and Beech Cottage 620 metres to the east.
“The visual impact of anything that far away would be minimal to say the least.”
Mr Dodd said afterwards that Bolsterstone would consider whether to appeal.
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