The area described as the Howgills by Appleby have been identified by the County Council as a potential site for renewable energy developments. The remoteness requires a new overhead line linking this site to the grid. The first spot chosen in this area of approximately 5 mile stretch of fells known as Whinash. The investment is thought to be between £55 to £75 million pounds. The dispute between protesters and developer have become more bitter and more entrenched. Recently the developer West Coast Energy Ltd has reported to the Advertising Standards Agency opposition materials issued by objectors. Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have supported clean renewable energy solutions. However The Campaign to Protect Rural England value the preservation of the landscape above other considerations. Both Dr. Chris Bonnington and Professor David Bellamy find the proposals too insensitive. The term “appropriateness” in terms of place and scale is he focus of the dispute

Objectors arguments revolve around;

The unfair position of the developers with special approval from government,

No equivalent local representation, through the Planning Authorities etc.

Energy company only motivated by profit without any local interests,

No consideration of Environmental impacts to local economies and effects on villages. Property prices, disruption, pollution tc.

FELLS campaign:

The opposers suggest that the wind farms projects in Germany and Denmark have not been a resonding success despite a significantly larger program than our own. Other environmental alternatives such as green housing may be a better energy solution.

Government aims to cut UK carbon emissions by 26.5 tonnes and by 2010, 10% of energy generation to come from renewable resources. On this basis the UK will have to build 400 to 500 and giant 3MWwind turbines per year to meet 2010 targets by wind sourced stations.

West Coast Enegy replys that:

Only sites with over 7m/sec can be considered economic. This is the coast and uplands. All AONB, SSSI and Nature Reserves and Natonal Parks are excluded.

Suggests ths leaves little choice. County Council exercise identified ‘Areas of Search’ and Whinash was chosen from this. Other stes such as: north end of Howgills and Orton Scar would be worse from landscape point of view. Can be quickly removed from the scene when not required. This is least sensitive site. Also as nearest to grid saves environmental disruption of lorry and heavy plant construction otherwise required.

Size; 70m to hub, 115m to tip of vertical blade. Moorland rises 485m. FELLS photomontage exaggerated effects.

Output about 50 MW, power for 47,000 homes (close to most homes in Cumbria), even on average, homes in Kendal, Penrith and rest of Eden District ie half of county.

Cumbria to meet targets apportioned by sub region of North West Regional Planning Guidance and choice is a large site at whinash or several smaller ones. Claims that Whinash will produce 150% of electricity currently produced by other 11 wind farms (70 turbines) in Cumbria.

No research identifies the loss of property values due to existing 82 wind farm projects in UK.

Some would say this area should have been included in the designation of the Park it being of high landscape value, praised by Wainwright, Bonnington and Bellamy alike.

Final decision will be reported by Dept of Trade and Industry.