RES Planning Success

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has been given the go-ahead by the Planning Inspectorate to build a 6 turbine wind farm at Tallentire Hill in Cumbria.

The proposal had been vigorously opposed by members of the Tallentire Area Action Group, but the government inspector dismissed their objections following a public inquiry in November 2010. Mr. George Baird rejected claims that the wind turbines would have a detrimental effect on the local landscape, that it would create an unacceptable level of noise disturbance, and that it would adversely interfere with radar coverage from the station at Lowther Hill. He was satisfied that the implementation of a Primary Radar Mitigation Scheme (PRMS) would safeguard aviation and included it as a planning condition.

Concerning claims that the wind farm would impact on tourism, he commented: "I consider the submissions relating to an adverse impact on tourism to be unproven and as such attach limited weight to them." He also drew attention to the 'striking' evidence that few people would be deterred from returning to an area because of wind farm developments.

Despite the protestations from Workington MP, Tony Cunningham, of wind farm blight, the frailty and fallacy of worn out arguments against wind farms has once again been exposed.

yes2wind is delighted with this latest vindication of onshore wind energy development.

(Read full decision report from the Planning Inspectorate)