Public meeting to examine windfarm plans

2:29pm Friday 1st August 2008

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A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to construct six 125-metre wind turbines on the Cartmel Peninsula will be scrutinised by local residents at a public meeting next week.

The meeting, which is being chaired by Father Robert Bailey, of Cartmel Priory, has been organised by STOP – an action group set up by people living in and around the Cartmel valley who oppose plans to site six wind turbines on the ridges of Stribers, on Ellerside.

STOP member, Malcolm Leadbetter, whose home at Speel Bank, near Cartmel, is located a few hundred metres from the site, said that the meeting would give residents and representatives from local businesses a chance to express their concerns.

“It is difficult to say how many people will turn up,” he said. “But we have circulated quite a lot of leaflets in the area and a lot of people have shown an interest.”

The plans have been put forward by Italian energy company Energia in Natura.

Among the many issues expected to be raised at the meeting are visual intrusion, landscape damage and a possible negative impact on tourism, the local economy, leisure activities, property values, roads, access, wildlife and health.

Mr Leadbetter explained that the wind turbines would be four times taller than the Cartmel Priory tower and would be visible from Cartmel, Greenodd and parts of Ulverston.

“It will have a negative effect on people living in these areas and also people who work in these areas,” he added.

Dr Mike Hall, of Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery (FELLS) – an organisation that is opposed to wind turbines in inappropriate locations – will also attend the meeting to give advice and share his experiences in opposing other windfarms in the region.

The meeting takes place at 7.30pm on Monday (August 4), at Cartmel Village Hall, and anyone who is interested or has concerns about the scheme is welcome to attend.

For more information contact Mr Leadbetter on 015395-36404 or visit www.stopcartmelturbines.com or www.striberswindfarm.co.uk.