Wind farm plans refused
Wind farm plans refused
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Thursday, 02, Mar 2006 11:44
Plans to build what would have been the biggest wind farm in England have been turned down, it has been revealed today.
Chalmerston Wind Power and the Renewable Development Company wanted to develop a seven-hectare farm of 27 wind turbines in Whinash, near Tebay in Cumbria.
But following concerns by local bodies about the effect on the natural landscape, the government has decided to endorse a report following a public inquiry recommending the development be given a red light.
"Tackling global warming is critical but we must also nurture the immediate environment and wildlife. This is at the crux of the debate over wind energy," energy minister Malcolm Wicks said in announcing his decision.
"On this occasion, we agree with the independent inspector that the impact on the landscape and recreation would outweigh the benefits in terms of reducing carbon emissions."
Mr Wicks, who along with rural affairs minister Jim Knight examined David Rose's report, added that he was aware the site had its supporters but he hoped the "winner here is the planning system, which has to be robust in its assessment of the merits of each proposal".
Supporters of the farm hoped it would produce 67 megawatts of electricity and environment campaign groups including Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth had backed its development.
But following the six-week inquiry, Mr Rose recommended that development of the site would cause environmental harm to the area that "outweighs the benefits of securing renewable energy" at Whinash.
The Council for National Parks (CNP) claims Whinash, which lies between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District national parks, is earmarked for national park status itself and has welcomed today's decision.
"We congratulate the government on its decision to reject this damaging wind energy scheme," CNP's head of policy Ruth Chambers said.
"People come to Whinash because of its relative wildness and the absence of prominent man-made structures in the landscape. The development would have ruined that, and it would also have blackened the name of renewable energy because so many people did not want this scheme to go ahead."