Following April's Potato Pot fiasco, we now have the opportunity to help ensure better protection in future as an integral part of local planning policy.
The consultation period on the second draft of the Local Development Framework has begun and will continue until the 18th June. The full document can be viewed via the following link:
When it opens, simply click on 'view Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) Pre Submission Draft.' If you do not wish to read the whole document, you can scroll directly to S19, Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technology.
The Council's policymakers claim to have taken into consideration all the points raised during the first public consultation which took place last year and, indeed, there is much improvement in the wording of S19. The most significant change from the first draft is that the Council is now proposing an 800m setback distance from residential properties for all wind turbines with a height of 25m or more. This is at least a step in the right direction and represents a considerable advance from the level of protection we have at the moment. It would 'knock out' many of the applications which have recently come forward. It is, of course, a matter of personal opinion as to whether 800m is a sufficient separation distance. Many believe that there needs to be a sliding scale to ensure that the largest wind turbines are subject to a greater setback.
This is the public's final opportunity to comment on the Local Plan before it goes to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. Friends of Rural Cumbria's Environment urge all members to respond at least to Section S19. The official response from FORCE will be circulated within the next couple of weeks before it is submitted to the Council.
Comments can be emailed to
or sent by post to
Local Development Framework Planning Policy Team
Allerdale Borough Council
Allerdale House
Workington
Cumbria
CA14 3YJ
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