By Thom Kennedy

Last updated at 13:52, Saturday, 14 November 2009

A windfarm planned near Penrith would cause ‘enormous’ damage to the landscape, a Cumbrian MP has warned.

David Maclean

Penrith and the Border MP David Maclean was speaking at the public inquiry into the Grise windfarm – a nine-turbine site energy company Wind Prospect hopes to build near Skelton – when he made the claim.

Mr Maclean, who also spoke out at a recent inquiry into the Berrier Windfarm on the Greystoke estate, told government inspector George Baird: “The only way (the Government) can meet their targets is to concentrate on large offshore constructions.

“It is relevant to this inquiry because the visual damage to the landscape is enormous, the loss of jobs is substantial, and you have to balance that against any benefits gained by nine turbines at this location.

“The contribution this would make to the Cumbrian target is tiny and rejection of this appeal would not endanger the government policy, since the emphasis is now switching to offshore.”

Opponents of the plans see the inquiry, which began on Monday and is due to continue for another week, hinging on several key factors.

The effect on three major racing stables, based near the proposed turbines, could lead to a loss of jobs in the area, they argue, while the effect on grade one-listed Scales Hall and the impact on the local landscape are also concerns.

The site is also just two miles from the edge of the Lake District National Park.

Campaigner Rena Gardner said: “It’s about people’s quality of life, and businesses that people have strived all their lives to build up and which could be taken away without even a hint of compensation, whereas there are vast profits to be made by the developers.”

Mr Maclean, who has a mixed record on windfarms – having opposed some but formally opened others – added: “This is not a case of ‘not in my back yard’ – the Lake District is the back yard of the whole of England.

“We can build giant turbines in many locations but we cannot mitigate the damage if they are built here. The damage to the landscape would be colossal and they would destroy the precious nature of the Lake District.”

Landscape expert David Bolt gave evidence at the inquiry on Thursday, and warned that the impact of building the turbines so close to the Skelton transmitters would be like adding nine turbines to a site where 30 already existed.

Mr Bolt added that the movement of the turbines would draw additional attention to the transmitter towers.

The inquiry was launched after Wind Prospect appealed against Eden Council’s non-determination over the matter, although Eden has since lodged its formal opposition to the scheme and is represented in the inquiry.

First published at 09:12, Saturday, 14 November 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk