RESIDENTS of an Eden village voiced anger about the lack of consultation they have had on planning guidelines outlining the future of wind farms in Cumbria.

More than 50 villagers from Shap attended a public meeting to discuss the Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation process, which allows interested residents to contribute their views to the document, which will help issue guidelines on the possible sites of future windfarms in Cumbria.

The consultation process was due to end on Friday but the strength of feeling demonstrated at the meeting has secured Shap residents a further four weeks to have their say on the SPD.

Speaking at the meeting, Eden district councillor for Shap Neil Hughes bemoaned the lack of time given to residents to comment on the document.

Others criticised the fact the document was not readily available to members of the community, as it was only available online and in the local library.

The issue of the future of windfarms is particularly sensitive to residents of Shap as Spanish-owned company Gamesa is expected to lodge a planning application in January for a ten-turbine windfarm on land between Crosby Ravensworth and Shap.