Last updated at 11:33, Thursday, 20 September 2012

A POSITIVE legacy would be created for Copeland if the Weddicar Rigg windfarm was given the go-ahead.

legacy: Phil Dyke, Banks Renewables develop-ment director

That is the view of Phil Dyke, the development director of applicants Banks Renewables, who urged councillors to approve the turbine plans.

He said: “A positive legacy would be created; the community benefits are significant and wide-ranging and more than what is offered for other windfarms.

“This is a considered and detailed proposal and there are no issues regarding noise, shadow flicker, ecology and transport that normally relate to these applications. It would have a relatively low environmental impact.”

Mr Dyke said that the new jobs on offer – 25 to 30 during construction – and the £50,000 apprentice link-up with Lakes College would be of “enormous benefit” to the area, as would the £30,000 per year donations to a community fund.

Copeland Council’s officers recommended that the planning panel approve the development.

Nick Hayhurst, Copeland’s senior planning officer, said that windfarms “polarise opinion” but concluded: “We have judged this application on its merits and feel the benefits are significant and outweigh any adverse impact.”

Mr Hayhurst added that the plans are in keeping with the government’s emphasis on renewable energy and that, significantly, neither the Lake District National Park Authority nor Natural England objected to the plans.

The meeting also heard from Frank McCracken, the president of Moresby Rugby Union Club, who spoke of the benefits for local young people that the community donations could bring.

First published at 11:06, Thursday, 20 September 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk