Newsletter May 2015

Now that the Conservatives are free of the Coalition, they have stated that

We will halt the spread of onshore windfarms

Onshore wind now makes a meaningful contribution to our energy mix and has been part of the necessary increase in renewable capacity. Onshore windfarms often fail to win public support, however, and are unable by themselves to provide the firm capacity that a stable energy system requires. As a result, we will end any new public subsidy for them and change the law so that local people have the final say on windfarm applications. (from Conservative Party Manifesto)

Although we will have to wait and see if this actually happens, it is just possible that we might finally be reaching the end of a very long tunnel!

It is also worth noting that the manifesto refers specifically to 'windfarms' and may perhaps not apply to single turbines which are becoming an increasingly serious issue in some parts of Cumbria.  We'll see.

On the local front, in Allerdale it has been relatively quiet so far compared to previous years.  This may perhaps be the result of the Local Plan 'bedding down.'  The Council has, however, received a significant number of screening requests within the past couple of weeks.  Many of them have been submitted by the same agent.

These are not full applications but simply an early approach by a potential applicant or agent to inquire whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment would be necessary if a wind turbine were to be applied for at a particular location.  It is therefore premature to submit a detailed objection at this early stage.

As there have been so many of these requests distributed so widely across Allerdale, we are inserting the links here so that our members can see where there might potentially be trouble brewing.  This might serve as a sort of 'early warning signal'

 

Bolton Park Farm Access Road To Bolton Park, Mealsgate

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128115

 

Land east of Dovenby Craggs, Dovenby

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128169

 

Land east of Reathwaite Farm, Brocklebank

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128215

 

Land west of Bothel Parks, Bothel

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128171

 

Land to the South East of Lonning House, Threapland

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128376

 

Land near Branthwaite Edge, Branthwaite

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128623

 

Broom Park, Kirkbride

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128600

 

Thwaites Farm, Welton

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=128378

 

Lucy Close Farm, Branthwaite

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=129514

 

Land to west of Eaglesfield, Greysouthen

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=129556

 

Also in Allerdale, a Public Inquiry into the proposed development of a wind farm consisting of four turbines at Lillyhall Landfill Site, Workington, commenced on 14^th April.  Although the appeal site is located within Allerdale, it is Cumbria County Council that is the Planning Authority defending the decision to refuse the development.

This particular appeal has been 'recovered' by the Secretary of State.  So, whilst the Planning Inspector will write a report based on the evidence heard at the Inquiry, the final decision will be a ministerial one.

FORCE members in Eden have asked for additional objections to an application for two 45m wind turbines which would be located on farmland to the north of Berrier Road, Penrith.  To view the details of this application, please click on the following (rather tortuous) link:

 http://eforms.eden.gov.uk/fastweb/detail.asp?AltRef=15/0093&ApplicationNumber=15%2F0093&AddressPrefix=&Postcode=&CaseOfficer=&ParishName=&AreaTeam=&DateReceivedStart=&DateReceivedEnd=&DateDecidedStart=&DateDecidedEnd=&Locality=&AgentName=&ApplicantName=&ShowDecided=&DecisionLevel=&Submit=Search

 

If you wish to object, please click on the 'comment' option. You will be asked to fill in your name and address etc. Don't forget to tick the box which confirms that your comment is an objection to the application!

 

March Update

Firstly, thank you to all of our members who turned out in support of the Carwath objectors at the February Development Panel.

The result was everything we could wish for – a unanimous decision by the councillors to refuse the application for three 115m wind turbines which would have dwarfed the area around Rosley.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to the highly successful campaign.  During the two years that it took for the application to reach the Development Panel, 588 objections had been submitted together with 28 comments from neighbouring parish councils opposing this highly inappropriate scheme.  The five objectors and a district councillor who addressed the Development Panel covered each aspect of the application thoroughly and were very effective in their presentation of the case.

Clearly, a great deal of preparation and hard work had gone into this campaign.  There is much to be learned from the Carwath objectors which may well be of use to other FORCE members in the future.

 

In stark contrast to the success story of Carwath, controversy continues to rage over the three planning consents that were granted by Allerdale's Development Panel against the planning officer's recommendation last November.  It is one of the great inequalities of the UK planning system that every applicant is entitled to appeal against a decision to refuse planning consent and that this service is accessible completely free of charge. 

Whereas the only mechanism that objectors can use to have a planning permission overturned is to file for a Judicial Review.  This is an enormously expensive process and, if the objectors are unsuccessful at the end of it, they risk being presented with a bill that can run into tens of thousands of pounds for solicitors' fees and costs awarded to the other side.

Residents of Oughterside have nevertheless been looking into the possibility of taking Allerdale Borough Council to Judicial Review over its decision in November to grant planning permission for a 35m wind turbine at Oughterside Mill and will certainly be asking the Local Government Ombudsman to examine the process that led to this particular decision.

 

New on the books is an application for three 110m wind turbines to be located on land at White Lees Farm, Aiglegill Farm and West Farm near Hayton.  The collective name for the project is 'Lancarr Wind Farm.'  The turbines would be adjacent to the existing wind farm at Warwick Hall Farm, Westnewton.  Interestingly, the operators of the existing turbines have objected to the proposal on the grounds that the three additional machines will interfere with the output from their own turbines.

Residents of Westnewton are already greatly affected by the presence of the three 107m wind turbines at Warwick Hall Farm.  Noise complaints remain unresolved at the present time.

In addition to this, the new application fails to take any account of the planning permission recently granted for a photovoltaic 'park' at Pasture House Farm which will take up over 32 hectares of land in close proximity to the existing and proposed wind turbines.  Occupying eight fields, the photovoltaic development will also have a significant impact on the landscape and environment within the local area.

Whilst we fully concur with the statement in paragraph 97 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that all communities must contribute to the supply of green energy, there must surely come a point when this responsibility must reasonably be considered to have been discharged!

Local objectors would greatly appreciate the support of FORCE members against this highly excessive and damaging proposal.  Please take just a few minutes to visit the following page on the Council's website:

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=125253

All you will then need to do is to scroll down to just below the blue panels where it says 'Comment on Application.'  There are a few boxes to fill in with your name and address etc.  Don't forget to highlight the option that confirms your objection to the application.  Then simply submit a sentence or two in the box below giving the reasons why you consider the proposed development to be unacceptable.

There are numerous clear grounds why 'Lancarr Wind Farm' should be refused permission including:

• impact on the local landscape
   
• cumulative impact alongside the neighbouring Warwick Hall Wind farm and other wind energy developments in the surrounding countryside
   
• impact on residential amenity, particularly in view of the fact that local residents are already affected by the existing turbines
   
• ecological impact on wildlife, displacement of geese and swans etc.
   
• the development is contrary to national and local planning policy – in particular Local Plan policies S19, S32 and S33

 

Feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions or require additional information.  One of our members has also asked us to promote a facebook page on which wind energy applications are publicised as they arrive.  If you are on facebook, the page can be found via the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499524996928889/

 

Carwath wind farm - STOP PRESS

The Carwath application for 3 x 115 metre turbines is due to be heard at the Development Panel on Tuesday 10^th February.  The recommendation is for refusal, but it is always helpful to re-enforce the level of public opposition by having as many people as possible attend the panel meeting.

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=104760  

The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber, Allerdale House, Workington, CA14 3YJ and starts at 1.00 p.m.

 

The Carwath application is the second item on the agenda, but it isn't possible to predict how long the first one will take!

 

We hope there will be a good turnout in support of the objectors!

Regrettable News!

Allerdale Borough Council's Development Panel met on 25^th November, with four turbines on the agenda.  All of these were recommended for refusal by officers who properly used the policies contained in the new local plan.  One turbine (at Dundraw Farm) was refused on a unanimous vote by members. 

 

The other three, despite the recommendations for refusal, were approved on majority votes.  As a result, we will be seeing new turbines at Oughterside Mill, Arkleby House and New Grange Farm, Dearham.

 

As Councillor Tony North pointed out at the Panel, there is a local plan in place and the proposals made, and reasons given, by Councillor Martin Wood to approve the turbines were unarguably contrary to the plan.  One of the reasons given by Councillor Wood to support his proposal to approve the Oughterside Mill application was that there had been no local objections.  Despite the fact that this was not the case, the assertion was not challenged and the application was approved.

The applicant at Oughterside Mill is also a councillor and a member of the Development Panel.  Councillor Jim Lister addressed the panel on the subject of his application but took no further part in this particular meeting.

 

After the meeting, a request was made to the Secretary of State to 'call in' the application for independent determination.  At the time of writing there is a Holding Direction in place which prevents Allerdale issuing the approval notice before the Secretary of State has decided whether or not to call the application in.  Whilst call ins are not common, we can only hope that this will be an exception!

 

The reasons proposed for approval of all three turbines were broadly the same – no local objections, not visually intrusive, of benefit to the farm and no adverse cumulative effect.  Inevitably there is some level of subjectivity when it comes to the issues of visual intrusion and cumulative effect.  But clearly the planning officers believed that the impacts would be adverse and tried to implement the new local plan in order to protect the landscape and residents.

It was abundantly clear at the panel just how important it is for local people, who would be affected by a development proposal, to make their voices heard.

 

One significant difference between the Dundraw application and the others was that there were two speakers against the proposed development at Dundraw, whilst there was no-one speaking against the other three.  Although this might not have affected the result, had there been speakers, it would have been plain to the Members that there were local objections and that people wanted their voices heard.

Applicants/agents spoke in favour of the applications that were approved.

Sadly, it seems that we cannot simply rely on a recommendation to refuse, but need to keep up the pressure until the final decision is made.  This not only includes ensuring that written representations are made, but also having speakers at the Panel meetings so that councillors are left in no doubt about how people feel.

 

The application at Carwath is still ongoing after almost two years.  West Coast Energy have finally submitted the results of additional noise monitoring that was carried out earlier in this year.  It appears, however, that there are significant gaps in the information that has been provided.  Hopefully this point will be pursued until data is supplied which includes sufficient detail to be meaningful.  The fact that the application is still current does of course mean that if you want to object, or add to a previous objection, you still can at:

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=104760

 

One piece of good news is that the appeal at Kelsick House Farm, Abbeytown, was dismissed in November this year.  The primary ground for dismissing the appeal was significant harm to the character and appearance of the landscape, coupled with modest harm to the setting of the AONB.

 

An application has been submitted to Eden District Council for a 77 metre turbine at Barrock Fell.  This application can be found at:

Planning Application Number:	14/1019
Site Address:	BARROCKEND FARM ARMATHWAITE CARLISLE CA4 9TQ
Description:	Installation of a 500kW wind turbine on a 46.9m monopole mast (77m to blade tip) and associated infrastructure including foundation, crane pad access track and underground cabling.

http://eforms.eden.gov.uk/fastweb/comment.asp?AltRef=14/1019&ApplicationNumber=&AddressPrefix=&Postcode=ca4&Submit=Search

FORCE has been asked to circulate the above details and also to let you know that a public meeting, arranged by the group set up to oppose the Barrock Fell application, is to be held on December the 13^th at Armathwaite School at 3 p.m.  Rory Stewart M.P. will be at the meeting and it would be great if as many people as possible could attend and show their support for the group and also Rory Stewarts's proposed bill for a required minimum setback distance between wind turbines and dwellings.

 

The address for Armathwaite School is:

 

Armathwaite Primary School

Armathwaite

Carlisle

CA4 9PW

 

 

On a slightly different note, FORCE has been asked on several occasions now (including by the press) whether we have a view on applications for industrial scale solar farms such as the ones at Westnewton (approximately 80 acres or almost 45 football pitches – approved) and Bothel (approximately 70 acres or almost 39 football pitches – still pending).  Any views from members most welcome.

 

And finally…………………

 

Hopefully 2015 will be a good year, fewer applications and more refusals. 

Thank you for all your support to date – have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Film made by FORCE

It has been a very busy summer, partly because of applications and appeals, but also because we have been working on a film that highlights some of the issues about turbines in Cumbria and the problems that individuals are having with them.  The film is now on YouTube in three sections and can be accessed at:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEPTzxxfXw4&feature=youtu.be  part 1

 

http://youtu.be/9RhRokkbq1E  part 2

 

http://youtu.be/j0g08pH9Wsw  part 3

 

Many thanks to all those who were involved in its production.

 

Amongst others, there has been a significant application by REG (the operators of High Pow Wind Farm) at Hay Close, Calthwaite, in Eden, for 4 x 130 metre turbines.  There can be no doubt that this development would cause serious and significant landscape impact and also be hugely detrimental to the residential amenity of those living in the area.  The details of the application can be found on Eden's planning website by going to the search page:

 

http://eforms.eden.gov.uk/fastweb/search.asp

 

and putting in the reference number 14/0637

 

Many of those who would be affected by the development have asked us to convey to you their horror at this application and to ask for your support by submitting an objection.

 

A petition has also been launched to request that Eden District Council follows the example of Allerdale Borough Council and includes in its Development Plan a minimum separation distance of 800m between dwellings and turbines above 25m in height.  The petition can be signed by anyone, including people who are not resident in Eden, and can be found at:

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-uZy7daSo0e5wTTYz_sAmEvsKSmnlGg0EepSjs3qHyw/viewform#start=openform

 

The petition is supported by Rory Stewart MP who will attending a meeting about a further potential application at Aiketgate.  The meeting will be held in Low Hesket village hall on Friday 26th September starting at 6.30 p.m.  All are welcome.

New Local Plan for Allerdale!

Great news!!

As some of you will already know, the long awaited report from the Planning Inspectorate on the Allerdale Local Development Plan has now been published and deemed 'sound' by the Inspector, Susan Holland.  The plan was formally adopted by Allerdale a the full Council meeting held on 16^th July 2014. 

This means that there is now a meaningful local plan that addresses the issues of renewable energy development and includes a separation distance of 800m between wind turbines over 25 metres in height and residential properties unless the applicant can absolutely justify a lesser distance.  This will provide much greater protection for residents of Allerdale in the future.

 Obviously it is unlikely to please the developers and there is a possibility that a legal challenge to the plan, or parts of it, could be mounted.  But the reality is that the Inspector has made it very clear in her report that the setback had been properly and sensibly assessed by Allerdale and that the objections raised to it previously were not robust enough to remove it from the plan.

Thank you to everyone who has helped to achieve this great result!!

A Neighbourhood Forum meeting is planned to take place in Rosley Village Hall between 7.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. on Thursday 24^th July.  At this meeting, Allerdale's Head of Development, Kevin Kerrigan, will talk about the new plan including the renewable energy policy.

FORCE Newsletter April 2014

So far, it really had been a year of mixed fortune.  As ever, the bad news first but there really is some good news to follow – so please read on!

Anyone using the A595 near Thursby cannot have failed to see the blinding monstrosity that is the How End Farm turbine!

The appeals at Firs Farm, High Scales and Goose Green which were all decided by the same Inspector, Mr McCoy, were approved.  This is a very disappointing result not least because Inspector McCoy failed completely in his reports to take account of the fact that he was approving three turbines all within approximately 1 kilometre of each other thus creating his own cumulative impact!

One factor that may well have played a part in his decisions is that Goose Green and Firs Farm were both recommended approval by Allerdale's Planning Department but rejected by the Development Panel members.  This demonstrates yet again how important it is to provide Allerdale Planners with robust objections so that they can formulate sensible grounds for recommending that applications should be refused in the first place.  In the light of last year's ministerial guidance, this not only includes spelling out the grounds on which we believe an application should be refused, but also showing that significant numbers of the local population object to the proposal.

The same is true of an appeal decision in January at Brayton Park which was also allowed by Inspector McCoy who will henceforward always be known in these parts as 'the man who created his own cumulative impact.'

 Current situation

 Until last week it has been a quiet year on the application front, with only one full application being posted on Allerdale's website.  That was until Friday 25^th when FOUR MORE full applications went online.

FORCE will be lodging objections to these and we would urge you to do the same.  Please feel free to utilise any points from our objections when they are posted on line.  The applications can be found at the following links:

Waverbank, Mealsgate – 1 x 45 metre turbine

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=114731

 

Carrick Dean, Edderside – 1 x 35 metre turbine

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=114896

 

Arkleby House Farm, Arkleby – 1 x 45 metre turbine

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=114891

 

Water Flosh, Aikton – 1 x 77 metre turbine

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=114952

 

Dundraw Farm, Dundraw – 1 x 67 meter turbine

http://planning.allerdale.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=114953

 

All of these applications far exceed the DECC definition of small scale (15 metre to hub) and if any were to be granted would significantly add to the negative landscape impacts and cumulative impacts that we already suffer, not to mention the potential impacts on residential amenity for those who live near to them.

News from Eden is that REG (the company that owns and operates High Pow) is planning a six turbine array at Hay Close Farm, Calthwaite.  This is in it's very early stages and public exhibitions are being held on the following dates:

Friday 16th May 2 - 8pm

Low Hesket Village Hall,

Low Hesket,

CA4 OES

and 

Saturday 17th May 10am - 2pm

Skelton Memorial Hall, Skelton,

CA11 9TE

Whilst they seem to pay no heed to the feedback that they receive following this type of exhibition, there can be no harm in letting REG know what you think!

There is however also some good news!

The long awaited appeal decision on the turbine at Lane Head Farm, Boltongate was issued on 16^th April and the appeal was dismissed.  This was however a close run thing since the Inspector had actually recommended to the Secretary of State that the appeal be allowed, but this recommendation was overturned on the basis that if the proposal were to go ahead it would harm the setting of the Grade 1 listed church in Boltongate.

This is actually the fourth appeal in Allerdale this year to be dismissed, the others being at Clea Mire, Charity Lane and Wiggonby, not to mention one that was dismissed at the Flatt Farm on the Carlisle side of the border!

Just goes to show that it really is worth battling on and getting the objections in.

It is our understanding that the application for three 115 metre turbines in the undeniably tranquil and rural setting of Carwath, near Rosley, will be heard by the Development Panel in May.  We will post full details of the arrangements on this website as soon as they are known.

Also expected soon is the Inspector's final report on Allerdale's proposed Local Plan.

LANE HEAD TURBINE DISMISSED BY DCLG!

This is quite a turn up for the books as the Secretary of State has intervened to stop the Inspector's approval of the Lane Head turbine.  Please visit our Lane Head page for full details.

Fw: Wednesday 5th February 10 am

The Allerdale Local Plan, on which many of you commented at the consultation stage, is currently being 'examined' by the Planning Inspector.  Following this, it will effectively be approved, approved with modifications or, and this is unlikely, thrown out.

Section S19 which addresses renewable energy developments in Allerdale is due to be discussed at Allerdale House, Workington (CA14 3YJ) on Wednesday 5^th February starting at 10.00 a.m.  It may continue until the afternoon.

 

Because of the number of representations on the proposals for renewable energy developments which were made during the consultation period, the Inspector has recognised that this is an area of interest to a significant number of people.  As a result of this she has booked the council chamber at Allerdale House for the session so that there will be room for members of the public to attend and observe the proceedings.

 

Whilst members of the public may not (this seems to be at the discretion of the Inspector) be able to speak at the examination, it would be wonderful if as many people as possible could attend the examination at some stage during the day so that the Inspector is under no illusions as to how much people care about this particular issue.  A good turnout would ensure this.

 

Please do come along, even if you can't stay for the whole proceedings.  Any time you can spare will be greatly appreciated.

Wednesday 5th February 10 am

The Allerdale Local Plan, on which many of you commented at the consultation stage, is currently being 'examined' by the Planning Inspector.  Following this, it will effectively be approved, approved with modifications or, and this is unlikely, thrown out.

Section S19 which addresses renewable energy developments in Allerdale is due to be discussed at Allerdale House, Workington (CA14 3YJ) on Wednesday 5^th February starting at 10.00 a.m.  It may continue until the afternoon.

 

Because of the number of representations on the proposals for renewable energy developments which were made during the consultation period, the Inspector has recognised that this is an area of interest to a significant number of people.  As a result of this she has booked the council chamber at Allerdale House for the session so that there will be room for members of the public to attend and observe the proceedings.

 

Whilst members of the public may not (this seems to be at the discretion of the Inspector) be able to speak at the examination, it would be wonderful if as many people as possible could attend the examination at some stage during the day so that the Inspector is under no illusions as to how much people care about this particular issue.  A good turnout would ensure this.

 

Please do come along, even if you can't stay for the whole proceedings.  Any time you can spare will be greatly appreciated.