Wind farm plan for Flimby 

Two new wind farm plans – for Flimby and Dean Moor – have been revealed.

West Coast Energy Limited wants to build three 102-metre turbines at Flimby Hall Farm and land at Dean Moor, south of Cockermouth, is being mooted as a site for a farm by a different company.

These new sites join six others in Allerdale being looked at by wind farm firms.

Applications have been lodged for Westnewton and Silloth

No applications but public exhibitions have been held for Tallentire Hill and Town Head Farm at Dearham

An appeal has been lodged after Allerdale council overturned an application for Brownrigg Hall, near Allonby.

An application for a wind monitoring mast has been submitted for Broughton Lodge, Great Broughton

The turbines in Flimby would be at Flimby Hall Farm, about 1.5km to the east of the village and 1.5km to the west of Broughton Moor.

The Dean Moor site is believed to be an extension of a scheme in Copeland and will cross the Allerdale/Copeland borough border.

Villagers across West Cumbria have set up action groups to oppose the turbiunes applications.

Broadview Energy, the company behind the Westnewton plans, held an exhibition on Tuesday for villagers.

Residents are angry with the company because they claim there was no consultation meeting before the application was lodged.

But Jeffrey Corrigan, managing director of Broadview Energy, said: “The plans have been circulating since 2002 and we have been in contact with the parish council since 2006.

“We have done a good job and it is unfortunate the residents don’t feel the same way. We have been thorough and the reason we put this exhibition on was to allow the residents to put their views forward.

“The farm is only 60 metres above sea level so it will not have as big a visual impact on the countryside.”

Broadview has already spent £250,000 on its bid.

John Ryden, parish council chairman, said: “The problem is that if we are successful and the application is rejected then an appeal will be made and the decision left to someone in Bristol who doesn’t know the area, and they could overturn it. We need to stick together and fight together.”

The parish council held its own exhibition last week.

At Tuesday’s exhibition, Debbie Kay, of Allonby, said: “We live in a rural area and they are turning it into an industrial landscape. I am all for cleaner energy but I object to these turbines, which are largely ineffective and are a desecration of our beautiful landscape.

“We have been misled with the information that they have given us. They need to be honest with us, but even then they wouldn’t have much support.”

Meanwhile, the Tallentire Area Action Group, opposed to plans for six turbines on Tallentire Hill, is asking people living in nearby Broughton and Brigham to join the fight against the proposals once they are submitted to Allerdale council.

A group spokesman said: “In a few weeks a planning application is expected for six 100m high wind turbines on Tallentire Hill.

“These are similar in height to the two turbines recently installed by Voridian at Workington and larger than those at Bothel.

“Tourism is vitally important to this area. The impact these monstrous structures will have on our landscape could deter visitors.

“If we do not object to these developments the whole of West Cumbria could soon be covered in turbines.

“These will be visible from Broughton, Brigham and the surrounding area – they will not just effect the immediate area around Tallentire.

“Please be prepared to act in the coming weeks to object to this proposal. The numbers of objectors do count.”

Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) wants to build the turbines at Hill Farm, between Tallentire and Gilcrux.

Amy Hinks, of RES, said the company was overwhelmed by the number of people who came along and pleasantly surprised by the amount of those in favour of the scheme.

n A public exhibition will be held at Flimby School from 2pm to 8pm next Wednesday, October 24, for the Flimby Hall Farm proposal.

There will be an opportunity to discuss all aspects of the proposals with company representatives.

Times & Star

19 October 2007