Public inquiry into Lake District wind farm proposal begins

A public planning inquiry is being launched today to discuss the possibility of constructing a wind farm in Cumbria.

Chalmerston Wind Power Ltd want to erect 27 turbines, each measuring almost 400ft tall, at Whinash in the Lake District.

The site, which overlooks the M6 between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Park, would reportedly generate 57 megawatts of electricity and provide enough power for 46,000 homes.

The £55 million proposal has been backed by environmental campaigners such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace, who say that the use of renewable power will reduce the need for fossil fuel burning, one of the biggest contributors to global warming.

However, opponents of the scheme have said they would be noisy, have a possible negative effect on the landscape and could affect tourism and house prices.

Allegations that the wind farms would have a damaging effect on house prices and the tourism industry have, however, been ruled as “misleading” by the Advertising Standards Authority.

The inquiry is expected to have a major influence on the future of rural wind farms.

Jim Footner of Greenpeace said: “Climate change is the greatest threat our planet faces, already killing over 150,000 people every year and putting one in three of our land-based species at risk from extinction.

“Clean energy alternatives such as the Whinash wind farm are crucial if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

“Contrary to what some people believe the biggest threat to the British landscape is climate change – not the visual impact of wind turbines. Wind farms like that proposed for Whinash are part of the solution.”

(KMcA/GB)