DEVELOPERS behind plans to build South Lakeland’s newest windfarm claim that they have found a significant amount of support for the scheme following the first public exhibition of plans.

Seventy-six people took the opportunity to have a look at the proposals by Banks Renewables to site five 135-metre high turbines on land between the A684 Sedbergh Road and Junction 37 of the M6 at Killington, when they went on display in the parish hall.

A statement issued by the company said: “Feedback gathered at the event showed a range of opinion about the scheme, including a substantial proportion of exhibition visitors who said they were in favour of it.”

Once the exhibition was over, the Banks team went on to hold briefing meetings at the Killington Parish Meeting and with members of New Hutton Parish Council, answering queries from parish councillors and members of the public.

Part of the proposed site is owned by Killington Educational Foundation and Killington United Charities, and both organisations would benefit directly from revenues generated by the new wind farm if it is approved.

Banks Renewables say the wind farm would have an installed capacity of up to 17MW, which is enough to meet the annual electricity consumption requirements of around 9,500 homes. It is claimed it would take around 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere every year.

Phil Dyke, development director at Banks Renewables, says: “We were very pleased with both the number of attendees at the event and the levels of support that we received for the Killington scheme at what was the first time our proposals had been examined in detail by the local community.

“There was a real recognition at the event of both the need to generate more of the energy we use from renewable sources and of how the scheme we’re proposing can play a part in doing this.

“The community benefits package that would run alongside the Killington wind farm has the potential to support projects that would enhance the local area for decades to come - we are very encouraged by the interest shown in it by a number of community groups, and we would encourage more people to come forward with their ideas on how it might be used to maximum effect.

“The subsequent meetings we held at Killington and New Hutton were open and constructive, and we will continue to keep both bodies and all other interested parties fully up to date as our plans progress.

“Onshore wind farms are central to achieving the vital goal of continuing to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide that we produce as a nation, and we are wholly confident that we will be able to design an efficient and environmentally-acceptable scheme for the Killington site.”

He added that up to 50 people could be working on site through the construction of the wind farm, and local businesses would also be able to tender for contracts worth around £4million relating to its different aspects of its development.

Banks will shortly submit a scoping report on the scheme to South Lakeland District Council for initial review. It will be coupled with a planning application for a test wind mast to go on the proposed site. It would be used to gather wind speed data that will assist with the scheme design process.

A planning application is expected to be submitted in the autumn. Anyone who would like any further information about the proposed Killington scheme should contact the Banks Renewables’ community engagement team on 0844 209 1515 or 0191 378 6100, or via killington@banksgroup.co.uk