Windfarm will be blot on landscape (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Windfarm will be blot on landscape

8:22am Friday 20th May 2005 in News By Andrew Daniels

BUILDING Britain's biggest windfarm on land near Tebay would create substantial visual and landscape impacts, compromising the natural beauty of the surrounding national parks, a public inquiry heard this week.

Jon King, giving evidence on behalf of the local authorities' consortium, told the government-appointed planning inspector that the windfarm would adversely affect a large area stretching as far away as Kendal.

"The openness of views towards the proposed development from this area of the national park, coupled with its exposed, wild and remote quality with no trees and few vertical elements, means that the landscape is of exceptionally high sensitivity to windfarm development," he said.

This week the inquiry was shown several photographs taken from designated points surrounding the site of the proposed windfarm. Mr King, who is an associate director with Wardell Armstrong LLP environmental and engineering consultants, told the inquiry how the visual impact from each point would be affected.

He said the windfarm would have a "moderate to substantial adverse" impact on the view from The Helm at Oxenholme, where the majority of turbines would be visible in the distance and turbine motion would be discernible. At Barrowfield Wood to the east of Kendal, a popular area for walkers, he said there would be a "moderate adverse" impact with upper sections of the turbine blades seen along the horizon.

Earlier this month, the Countryside Agency decided to consider extending the boundaries of the Lake District National Park to include the windfarm site. Mr King said this would not be possible, should the proposal get the go-ahead.

"I don't think it would be possible to include it (the windfarm site) within the national park - it would have to be excluded," he said.

"Not only would the site have to be excluded, but much of the adjoining area."

Under cross-examination from Andrew Newcombe, representing Chalmerston Wind Power, Mr King said adverse visual and landscape impacts were not a reason for refusal on their own.

The Countryside Agency also opposed the Whinash Windfarm proposal this week.

Jane Cecil, programme manager for planning and finest countryside for the CA, said there were unique circum-stances that had compelled the CA to put forward evidence.

"The construction of the works will have a significant adverse effect on the character, appearance, openness, accessibility and recreational value of the land," she said.

"These factors are of importance to the quality of life and mental and physical well-being of those who live in the neighbourhood of the land."

The inquiry, which is being held at Shap Wells Hotel, looking into an application from Chalmerston Wind Power to put up 27 turbines on land near Bretherdale and Rathwaite Commons, is due to last until July.