The view from Wharrels Hill towards the Skiddaw Range, Bassenthwaite and Grisedale
Wharrels Hill
Having suffered many defeats in their attempts to build windfarms in the high uplands the developers are targeting the lower levels, areas on the edge of National Parks and AONBs and areas which benefit from coastal wind currents. One such area is Allerdale in West Cumbria and Group 25 is getting ready for a fight with National Windpower, who are proposing to erect 8 x 1.3MW turbines, one with a viewing platform .
"Anyone who has visited the little gem of an area known as North Allerdale will be aghast to know that this is yet another district where the windfarm salesmen have swarmed in. The ridges running along the north western fringe of the Lake District National Park are their target and the intentions of these slick operators are now all too clear; the Lake District itself is to be surrounded by their flailing, flapping monstrosities. One application, expected in January, is at Wharrels Hill which is a local landmark that looks right down to Bassenthwaite Lake and across to Skiddaw. This particular windfarm would intrude upon a wide area of some of the best walking country in the Lake District and would have a devastating effect upon the character of the whole area. No-one will be surprised to learn that National Wind Power is involved here.The appalling prospect will be resisted by the local association known as Group 25 and it is encouraging to learn that support for the group is increasing steadily. Several NFFO sites exist along the ridges, all within designated areas known as Locally Important Landscape Areas; this designation was intended to ensure that the landscapes forming the setting for the National Park would be protected from unacceptably intrusive development. The Group has successfully resisted the proposal at Brocklebank and will spare no effort to defend the other potential sites on Sandale Fell and Tallentire Hill. "
Contact: G. Sewell 016973 21170
This scheme was soundly rejected by Allerdale District Planning. It is a good example of those areas of local landscape value which are increasingly being targeted by developers. The local objectors, represented by Agenda 25, were backed up by many conservation groups and local authorities, including Cumbria County Council, Lake District National Park Authority, Friends of the Lake District (which is a local branch of CPRE), The Ramblers and Council for the National Parks. The CNP for example made a very convincing case,:
"Both the scale and the nature of the development proposed at Wharrels Hill undermine the original concept of National Parks and are at odds with the founding philosophy of National Parks. The proposals run counter to the need of the nation for places where nature can be enjoyed for mental and physical well-being, in that they will result in years of visually damaging and large-scale industrial activity on the edge of the National Park. They will also impinge significantly on the public's attempts to seek spiritual values in this part of the Lake District National Park".Of particular interest is the breakdown of the 800 letters received from individuals:
| Letter received from |
Proportion of letters |
Object |
Support |
| Bothel and Threapland Parish |
20% |
94% |
6% |
| Adjoining Parishes |
20% |
92% |
8% |
| Rest of Allerdale |
26% |
91% |
9% |
| Cumbria County |
10% |
72% |
28% |
| Rest of UK |
24% |
94% |
6% |
Interesting in the light of some claims based on 'opinion surveys'.
NWP lodged an appeal which was heard on April 5th 2002. The inspector decided for the developer, subject to clarification over noise. He thought the windfarm would not be too intrusive and would be big enough to be effective to "help rectify Cumbria's 'energy deficit'".
|
