By Andrew Clarke

Published at 11:10, Thursday, 21 June 2012

A RAFT of new wind turbine applications was set to be considered by Copeland’s planners this week.

Land at Haverigg, Wilton, Howgate, Lamplugh and Distington is the subject of five separate planning applications that were due to be heard by members of Copeland Council’s planning panel yesterday (Wednesday).

In Haverigg, a new five-turbine commercial windfarm is planned for land close to the prison.

If given the go-ahead, it will be adjacent to the existing eight-turbine farm on the site and be operational for 25 years. Each turbine would be 120.5 metres high.

Forty-two postcards in support of the proposal have been sent to Copeland Council, however Millom Town Council has objected to the plans due to the “poor infrastructure for access to the site, height of the proposed turbines and visual impact”.

Seven individual letters of objection have been sent from residents in the area, whose collective concerns include impact on views, noise, vibration and adverse effect on tourism and wildlife.

Planners are being recommended to visit the site before taking a decision.

In Wilton, near Egremont, a 34.4m-high single turbine is earmarked for land at High House Farm. The turbine is planned to provide electricity to the dairy farm to help it stay viable.

Haile and Wilton Parish Council has objected to the plan and members of Copeland’s planning panel are expected to undertake a site visit before making a decision.

In Distington, a single turbine looks set to be given the go-ahead on farmland at High Lowca.

The 34.2m-high turbine with three blades will provide electricity to the applicant’s farm, and will be on site for between 20 and 25 years.

There was one letter of objection, from a resident of Drigg concerned about visual impact, however Copeland’s planners were being recommended to approve the plans.

They were due to be told: “This single turbine would not have a materially harmful effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding rural landscape or nearby residential properties.”

In Lamplugh, planners are expected to visit the site of a proposed 67m-high turbine before making a decision.

Agricultural land to the north west of Kidburngill Farm is the location for the planned turbine.

And in Howgate, planners are expected to agree to a 50m meteorological mast being set up on land at Middle Gill Farm.

It will be in place for 12 months to determine if the site would be suitable for a wind turbine in the future.

One letter of objection has been submitted by a neighbour concerned about the mast in proximity to their property.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk