Cumbrian turbine plan is an ill wind for many
Farmers have joined the barrage of objections over the building of one of Europe”s biggest wind farms on moorland in Cumbria.
An inquiry into the development of the site at Whinash, north of Kendal, opened this week. Almost 4300 letters of objection were received, but only 520 letters of support.
Chalmerston Wind Power has applied to build 27 turbines on moorland between Tebay and Shap.
Alan Mawson, whose farmhouse would overlook the turbines, has been a member of the action committee made up of people from the villages of Orton and Tebay. “‘”m not against wind farms as a source of power, but they must be sited where they won’t have an impact on the landscape,” said Mr Mawson.
Farmers whose sheep graze the common land where the turbines could be sited have been offered cash payments by the power firm.
“I am sure some hill farmers will look on the payments as a pension, but I am still not in favour of the project and don”t want an industrial site at my back door.”
Farmers against the scheme have been concerned that the “bond” provided by the power company is insufficient to cover the costs of removing the turbines once they have outlived their usefulness.
“We need to know who will have to remove and dispose of them if wind power was no longer a viable option,” said Mr Mawson.
Environmental groups such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace are backing the proposal, but Cumbria Tourist Board says the development will destroy the natural beauty of this wild corner of the region.
The turbines will cover 7km (4.3 miles) along a stretch of moorland that adjoins Shap Fell and is clearly visible from the M6 motorway.
The £55m project, which will need Department of Industry approval because of its size, will damage tourism, says Cumbria Tourist Board.
David Knowles farms a few miles away and although he would not be able to see the new wind farm, he says it is “completely over the top”.
“We”ve got five wind turbines on land at Lambrigg about one mile from our farm and five is just about enough. The Whinash proposal would be a massive development and just wouldn”t fit into the landscape.”