A NEW hydro-electric scheme in the Lake District, which will produce enough power for 120 homes, has won the go ahead.

Brian Dennison, who owns Gillside Barn, at Tongue Gill, near Grasmere, has been given consent to move forward with his project to produce electricity by harnessing the force of water from the nearby beck.

A small ‘intake chamber’ will allow water to enter a 640m long buried pipe and be carried to a stone turbine building, where power will be generated and pumped into the National Grid The Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee unanimously approved the scheme despite objections from neighbours.

John Sim spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Sweeneys, who own Bramrigg House, an early 20th century property just 28 metres away from the planned turbine building which is let as holiday accommodation.

He said the Sweeneys were not against the scheme, but were against the compound which would house tools and materials during the building process.

He said they would have ‘no alternative’ but to cancel pre-booked stays during the summer because it would be in full view of the holiday let.

“The impact on them is disproportionate and the loss could be as much as £25,000 to £30,000,” said Mr Sim. “They are happy with the idea but they really do think the compound would have a detrimental effect.”

Mr Dennison said: “I am a committed conservationist. I care very much about holiday guests and their pleasure in enjoying the location. We have addressed the question of the sound from the power house. It will have 10-inch thick concrete, double sealed doors – a soundproof box.”

He explained that while the compound could be moved to the south, it would create more mess and put extra pressure on time on the project.

The project follows in the footsteps of similar schemes at Coniston and Kentmere.

In Coniston, a plan was approved in 2007 to supply as many as 300 homes with power generated from water at Church Beck in the Coppermines Valley.

And three years later Kentmere welcomed news that they had won backing for an ‘inspirational’ £1.6 million scheme to turn its renowned rainfall into energy by transferring the energy created from the River Kent