Cumbriaundersiege

June 2008 Press Release

November 2007 Press Release

An updated version of Cumbria Under Siege will be maintained here.

This is an updated map (October 2010) and the numbers in the November Press Release do not now match exactly. The key immediately below the map is accurate at the time of uploading.

SUMMARY OF WIND FARM APPLICATIONS IN CUMBRIA AND NORTH WEST LANCASHIRE REJECTED OR AT THE SCOPING, PLANNING AND PUBLIC INQUIRY STAGE

V.16 - October 2010

No.	Site name	Grid Ref.	Company	Status	No.	Capacity (MW)	Height (metres) to		Comments
No.	Site name	Grid Ref.	Company	Status	No.	Capacity (MW)	Hub	Tip	Comments
ONSHORE WIND FARMS IN CUMBRIA OPERATING, CONSENTED AND IN SCOPING/PLANNING
1	Alston Moor	NY 7490 4400	?	S	-	-	-	-	Scoped 2007 no further news. Ex-NFFO site
2	Armistead	SD 5840 8670	Banks	PI	6	2.5	60	100	Consented after PI in Spring 2009. Statutory Appeal High Court hearing 16th June 2010
3	Askam (Far Old Park)	SD 2310 7720	Wind Prospect	O	7	0.66	40	63.5
4	Barkin Lot	SD 5850 8560	Baywind	R	6	0.8	42	66	Rescoped 2007/8 for 9 turbines. No application.
5	Berrier Hill	NY 4040 3080	West Coast Energy	PI	9	2.5	-	102	PI result due June 2010.
6	Black Knors	NY 5320 7910	Banks	S	20	2.5?	-	125	Near Bewcastle & Blackpool Gate. Scoping & consultation ongoing
7	Brownrigg Hall	NY 0970 4350	Nuon Renewables	R	5	2.0	-	100	Rejected by Allerdale, appeal withdrawn but resubmission possible.
8	Caton Moor repowered	SD 5700 6300	Hainsford Energy	O	8	2.0	55	80	NW Lancashire. Inside Forest of Bowland AONB.
9	Claughton Moor (Lancashire)	SD 5840 6510	Community Wind Power	S	20	2/2.3	80	125?	Next to Caton Moor & 6km inside Forest of Bowland AONB. REJECTED Lancaster City Council March 2010
10	Cragg Lot (Arkholme, Lancashire)	SD 5610 7170	Cornish Power & Light	S	5	2/2.5	60	101.5	Originally NPower. Re-scoping increased number from 3 to 5. NW Lancashire.
11	Crosby Garrett	NY 7160 0780	?	U	-	-	-	-	Scoping in 2006. Probably dead
12	Dalton Crag	SD 5410 7540	E-ON	S	6	2.5	-	125	Maybe dead as landowner opposed
13	Drigg	SD 0550 9890	-	R	-	-	-	-	Source Country Guardian
14	Fairfield Farm, Pica	NY 1560 2220	Wind Prospect	C	5	?	-	?	10 turbines refused by Council but 5 approved at PI in 2008. Status unclear.
15	Firbank Fell	SD 6090 9380	RES Ltd	S	-	-	-	-	Re-scoped in 2006 by Renewable Energy Systems (UK) Ltd.
16	Fleeter Wood	NY 0920 3530	Novera	S	6	2.0	65	105	Scheme now withdrawn
17	Flimby	NY 0380 3310	West Coast Energy	C	3	2.5	60	102	Approved 2008. Application for larger turbines lodged.
18	Grayrigg	SD 5980 9970	-	U		-	-	-	Site sterilised by Whinash decision. Probably dead.
19	Great Orton Repower	NY 3100 5300	Cumbria Windfarms	O	6	0.66	45	68.5
20	Greenlaw Rigg	NY 7630 0250	Scottish Power	S	14	?	-	?	Within proposed YDNP extension. Adjacent to Settle to Carlisle railway and within 1km of Pendragon Castle.
21	Grise (Skelton)	NY 4220 3940	Wind Prospect	PI	9	3.0	70	115	PI November 2009. REJECTED.
22	Gunson Heights	SD 2570 8220	-	R	-	-	-	-	Source Country Guardian

23	Harlock Hill	SD 2530 7950	Baywind	O	5	0.5	35	53.5	To be merged with Standish cote in takeover subject to shareholder agreement.
24	Haverigg 2	SD 1330 7910	Windcluster	O	4	0.6	45	66
25	Haverigg 3, 4	SD 1330 7910	Windcluster	O	4	0.85	50	76
26	Hellrigg (Silloth)	NY 1290 5090	nPower	C	4	2.0	80	121	Approved after PI May 2009
27	High Haume	SD 2250 7590	BT	U	1	?	-	125	Near Askam. Withdrawn
28	High Pow	NY 2550 4350	Cornwall L&P	O	3	1.3	60	98
29	High Raise	NY 7700 4606	-	U	-	-	-	-	Ex-NFFO inside Pennines AONB. On Cumbria boundary. Probably dead
30	Hill Top Farm	NY 2950 4150	-	R	-	-	-	-	Source Country Guardian
31	Hoff Moor	NY 6550 1550	NPower	R	3	2.5	-	-	Refused after PI
32	Killington	SD 5820 9210	-	U	-	-	-	-	Scoped 2003/4 as southern Lambrigg extension. Probably dead.
33	Kirkby Moor	SD 2600 8300	NWP	O	12	0.4	25	42.5
34	Lambrigg	SD 5880 9360	NWP	O	5	1.3	43	74
35	Lamonby	NY 3990 3680	E-ON	S	5	2.5	-	104	Withdrawn 2009 but may be resubmitted.
36	Lowick Beacon	SD 2870 8400	-	R	-	-	-	-	Source Country Guardian
37	Lazonby Fell	NY 5170 3840	E-ON	S	5	2/2.5	-	125	Scoping study issued.
38	Lowca	NX 9830 2350	Wind Prospect	O	-	-			Highest LF in Cumbria to date.
39	Moudy Mea (Stainmoor)	NY 8680 1170	Community Wind Power	S	12	2.5	-	125	Inside Pennines AONB.
40	Moresby Moss (Keekle)	NY 0120 1990 NY 0480 2140	Banks	S	15-20	?	60	?	Two close sites being investigated
41	Moss Grove	NY 5100 6930	Banks	S	10	?	-	125	Near Kirkambeck & Hethersgill. NE Cumbria. On Banks web site.
42	Longfield Tarn (High Biggins)	SD 5860 7760	E-ON	S	9	2.5	80	110	Scoping issued, application anticipated July 2010. Just in Lancashire at Kirkby Lonsdale. Renamed Longfield Tarn.
43	Newlands Mill	NY 3490 3960	Private	O	-	-	-	-	Toppled in storm in 2008. Now none operational.
44	Newlands Farm (Cumwhinton)	NY 4420 5240	Broadview	PI	3	2.3	-	115	Rejected by Carlisle City Council. PI just finished. REJECTED
45	Pirelli (Carlisle)	NY 3880 5360	TNEI	C	1	3.0	80	120
46	Prospect & Oughterside	NY 1050 4060	Mellinsus?	S	6	?	-	100	See also Wardhall Common
47	Scout Hill (Crab Tree Farm)	SD 5640 8250	?	U	3	?	-	-	Scoping 2003. Probably dead
48	Shap Renewable Energy Park	NY 5690 1690	Gamesa	S	10	2.0	60	100	Gamesa now Ibodrola. No action for 2.5 yrs. Status unclear.
49	Siddick/Oldside	NX 9970 3110	Wind Prospect	O	16	0.6	40	61
50	Sillfield	SD 5640 8570	Whirlwind	PI	3	2.5	70	110	Rejected after PI (29/1/2010). No appeal lodged.
51	Sleagill/Reagill	NY 5960 1780	Pure Renewable Energy Ltd	S	11	2.5	-	125	Inside Alison Farmer AOS. Scoping report issued.

52	Standish Cote (now Furness Wind Farm)	SD 2450 7960	Infinergy	S	5 + 3	?	-	100?	Harlock Hill turbines to be replaced by 3 with 5 more on the adjacent hill, Standish Cote
53	Stone Chest	NY 5220 7470	Banks	S	10	?	-	125	Near Nook & Roadhead. NE Cumbria. On Banks web site. Consultation.
54	Stribers/Ellerside	SD 3540 8030	Energia in Natura	S	6	2.5	80	125	Energia withdrew earlty 2010. Anemometer removed March 2010. On LDNP boundary.
55	Tallentire Hill	NY 1220 3580	RES Ltd	S	6	2.0	-	100	Application resubmitted with new ES produced.
56	Thack Moor	NY 6120 4620	-	U	-	-	-	-	Ex-NFFO site inside Pennines AONB. Probably dead.
57	Wardhall Common	NY 1380 3710	Mellinsus	S	3	?	-	‘small’	Cooperative venture including biogas scheme. May be associated with Prospect & Oughterside (see above)
58	Voridian (Workington)	NY 0060 3100	Wind Direct	O	2	2.0	70	110
59	Threaplands	NY 1640 3860	BT	S	4	2.5	-	?	Scoping. Site close to Wharrels Hill
60	Westnewton	NY 1330 4310	Broadview	R	5	2.5	-	107	Rejected by Allerdale DC. Now at PI.
61	Wharrels Hill	NY 1750 3760	Wind Prospect	O	8	1.3	50	81	Approved after PI
62	Whinash	NY 5710 0369	West Coast Energy	R	27	2.5	-	-	Refused after PI
63	Whinfell	NY 5690 0140	-	U	-	-	-	-	Site sterilised by Whinash decision
64	Winscales 1	NY 0340 2720	Wind Prospect	O	3	0.66	45	68.5
65	Winscales 2	NY 0340 2720	Wind Prospect	O	8	0.85	44	70
66	Winscales 3	NY 0350 2850	Your Energy	C	7	0.85	50	81
OFFSHORE WIND FARMS IN CUMBRIA OPERATING AND CONSENTED
67	Barrow	SD 1580 5490 8km offshore	DONG/ Centrica	O	30	3.0	75	120-
68	Ormonde	SD 0730 6800 9.5km off Walney	Eclipse Energy plc	C	30	5.0	100	170-	Combined gas and wind project
69	Walney 1	SC 9960 6450 14km west of Walney Island	Dong	C	45	3.6	-	157-
70	Walney 2	SC 9960 6450	Dong	C	48	6.0	-	202.5?
71	Duddon Sands	SD 0590 5320 14km SW of Walney Island	Scottish Power, Ibodrola & Dong	C	139	3.6	-	-
72	Robin Rigg	NX 9160 4070 9km off Maryport	E-ON	C	60	3.6	70	115	Under construction
NEW PROPOSALS ADDED AFTER 24TH June 2009
73	Kelleth Rigg	NY 6660 0610	Whirlwind Renewables	S	?	?	?	?	Land Options signed. Scoping

74	Killington Lake	SD 5900 9110	British Waterways & Partnerships for Renewables	S	2	2.0	80	125	Combined wind and hydro scheme. Press report and on BW website.
75	Roosecote Wind Cluster	SD 2348 6873	SLP Energy	S	3	2.5	80	125	Planning Appln. Recd. at Barrow
76	Rosley	NY3090 4363	Rure Renewable Energies	S	11	2.5?	80	125	7km SW Wigton, 2.2km LDNP boundary
77	Langthwaite Farm	SD 1534 8056	?	S	6	2.5?	80?	125	1km west of Millom. 1.6km LDNP boundary
78	Beck Burn	NY 345 695	EDF	S	9	2.0	80	125	Between Gretna & Longtown

Stage of development (see column 4). O = OPERATIONAL; C = CONSENTED; S = SCOPING; U = UNCERTAIN STATUS; R = REJECTED/WITHDRAWN; PI = PUBLIC INQUIRY.

Data from Geoff Sinclair, Country Guardian, Renewable Energy Foundation, Cumbria County Council, District Planning Departments, various people with local knowledge, and press reports. Although FELLS believe this information is accurate, a small amount is from personal contacts and cannot be formally verified. Please inform us of any errors or omissions.

Version 16, updated by FELLS, October 2010

Red = Operating; Blue = consented/in construction; Green = Planning (various stages); Black = Rejected

PRESS RELEASE for IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7th 2008

FELLS calls for a rethink on South Lakes landscape

At its ninth Annual General Meeting on June 5th in Kirkland Hall Kendal, attended by over 40 people, an urgent call was made for a halt to the uncontrolled flood of applications for wind farms sweeping through the South Lakeland area.

In the past six months four new applications have emerged; Armistead near Old Hutton (now in the planning stage), Sill Field on a site adjacent to this, Biggins/Whittington just 1 mile from Kirkby Lonsdale Town centre and Striber/Ellerside on a ridge near Grange-over-Sands. If approved these would total up to 25 extra turbines on top of the 13 already operating at Caton Moor and Lambrigg.

Sir Christopher Audland, the first Chairman and a founder of FELLS said, ‘…this should come as a wake up call to everyone in South Lakeland. Most of these proposals would be on sites that have already been recognised as meeting or almost meeting National Park standards. The low ridge between the Kent and the Lune Valleys is of exceptional quality and we should all press hard for its inclusion in a new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – because that is what it is’.

Much of this area is already under review by Natural England as part of its ongoing study of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Park boundaries. The fact that it is now being ‘picked off’ piecemeal by subsidy-hungry developers borders on a National disgrace and will seriously prejudice the impartiality of this review.

Tim Kimber, the present Chairman of FELLS, added that ‘…in just a few years the total cost of this crazy rush for wind energy could be costing the average household £300 to £400 a year extra in fuel bills via the hidden subsidies and high cost of grid strengthening and building new back up coal and gas-fired power plants to support the wind farms when the wind does not blow’ (up to 110 days per year).

Notably Paul Golby, the CEO of Eon UK said only this week that we would need as much as 44 gigawatts of new coal or gas generation capacity by 2020 to back up wind if the Government persists with its present policy. That is the equivalent of 20 large coal-fired power stations or 60 burning gas.

Sadly, Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and Casterton Parish Council voted not to opposed the Armistead proposal despite being warned by FELLS that several other wind farm plans were about to be revealed. In so doing they are putting at risk the tourist life blood of Kirkby Lonsdale and have betrayed all those people who, in the past, fought to keep the M6, reservoirs and additional pylons out of the Lune Valley.

Mike Hall, FELLS Vice-Chairman said; ‘…this is all about greed not green. The landowners who are permitting this scandal to happen should recognise that while they own the land they do not own the landscape. That is the legacy and birthright of us all. In encouraging this blight they are degrading the enjoyment of hundreds of local people and thousands of visitors who come here to recharge their batteries’.

FELLS urges everyone to object in the strongest possible terms to what is happening and calls on all organisations with an interest in the landscape to unite to prevent the destruction of South Lakeland. We have won in the past and we can win again.

Press release on behalf of FELLS - Friends of Eden, Lakeland and Lunesdale Scenery, November 2007

This week FELLS has sent a letter to Councillors and Members of Parliament from across Cumbria, entitled "Cumbria under Siege".

The intention is to draw attention to the ever increasing number of wind farm proposals across the county. FELLS members are concerned that the "unrealistic" renewable energy target for the county has been set without regard to the fact that over half of the area is protected by designation, such as the National Park. This is putting huge pressure on the remainder of the land, such as the Eden Valley. The letter to councillors points out that "The Regional Authorities simply looked at land area and the wind profile of the county without making allowance for its unique nature."

Enclosed with the letter is a map showing sites around the Lake District National Park. There are currently over 30 wind farms at the scoping or planning stage, including the controversial Berrier Hill site, and since the map was produced, a proposal for a wind farm at Lazonby Fell has come to light. Tim Kimber, Chairman of FELLS writes: "Although a few might be deemed to be acceptable, many are sited in completely unsuitable areas".

The letter asks councillors at all levels of government to continue to be bold and vigilant and to work to protect this unique county for the enjoyment of future generations".

Kyle Blue, who was prominent in the Whinash wind farm inquiry said "The Public Inquiry highlighted the importance of the countryside to Cumbria and its economy. It is therefore essential that these intrusive developments are closely monitored and only sited where appropriate."

FELLS is not opposing wind turbines everywhere. In a more industrial scene, or offshore, they can be acceptable. But they are quite unacceptable in our beautiful countryside so there they must be stopped.
Wharrels Hill wind farm at the top of Bassenthwaite is clearly visible from well within the National Park and consists of turbines 76 metres high - most applications currently being submitted are for 100 metre turbines
The most well-known turbines in the area are probably those at Lambrigg near junction 36 of the M6; but at 43 metres high these are less than half the height of the modern turbines.

November 2007

Dear

Cumbria under Siege

Some three years ago FELLS produced a map of the county showing the then existing spread of wind farms, windfarm applications and those rejected. Since then the Whinash Public Inquiry has taken place resulting in rejection by the Secretary of State. Despite that, windfarm companies are bombarding the county with ever more applications. We believe this is being driven by fear about the future of the lucrative Renewable Obligation regime. Any dilution of the scheme would markedly cut the exceptional profitability enjoyed by onshore wind farms – deservedly so since they have been shown to make an insignificant net contribution to reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

It is important to recognise that Cumbria is one of the most splendid and unspoiled counties in England: We are fortunate to possess the very finest landscape south of the Scottish border. That is why about 48% of the county is designated as a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or a Heritage Coast. A further 7% is currently under review by Natural England. That landscape sustains much of Cumbria’s economy and employment. For these reasons we believe our renewable energy target for 2010 is highly unrealistic. The Regional Authorities simply looked at land area and the wind profile of the county without making allowance for its unique nature.

Because of this combination of factors, FELLS have updated the map (copy enclosed). It is critical that councillors at all levels of local government continue to be vigilant towards these applications. Although a few might be deemed to be acceptable, many are sited in completely unsuitable areas or combine with other windfarms to produce an entirely unacceptable cumulative impact – a matter regarded as vitally important in the recently adopted Cumbria County Council Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document. We urge you to be bold and vigilant and to work to protect this unique county for the enjoyment of future generations by turning down windfarm applications that are clearly in inappropriate and uneconomic locations.

Details from the Cumbria under Siege map

No.	Name	No. turbines	Status
1	Great Orton	6	Operating
2	Newlands Mill	2	Operating
3	High Pow	3	Operating
4	Wharrel’s Hill	8	Operating
5	Winscales 1&2	18	Operating
6	Siddick	7	Operating
7	Oldside	9	Operating
8	Lowca	7	Operating
9	Haverigg 1, 2, 3	9	Operating
10	Barrow Offshore	30	Operating
11	Kirkby Moor	12	Operating
12	Far Old Park	7	Operating
13	Harlock Hill	5	Operating
14	Lambrigg	5	Operating
15	Pirelli	2	Operating
16	Robin Rigg Offshore	60	Consented by Government - In construction
17	Voridian	2	In construction
18	Sandale	-	Planning
19	Westnewton	5	Planning
20	Prospect & Oughterside	6	Planning
21	Wardhall Common	3	Planning
22	Tallentire Hill	5	Planning (RES)
23	Fleeter Wood (was Townhead, Dearham)	5-8	Planning (Novera Energy)
24	Stainburn	-	Planning
25	Broughton Moor	7	Planning
26	Workington	24?	Planning
27	Fairfiald/Pica	6	Planning
28	Keekle	24	Scoping/Planning
29	Standish Cote	10	Pre-planning
30	Striber’s Allotment	?	Pre-planning
31	Dalton Crag	5	Pre-planning (Eon)
32	Armistead	9	Pre-Planning (Gamesa)
33	Crab Tree Farm	3	Pre-planning
34	Killington	?	Pre-planning
35	Firbank Fell	?	Pre-planning
36	Crosby Garrett	?	Pre-planning
37	Hoff Moor	3	Planning Inquiry shortly for appeal
38	Shap Renewable Energy Park	10	Planning (Gamesa)
39	Berrier Hill (Greystoke)	9	Planning (West Coast Energy)
40	Lamonby	5	Planning (Eon)
41	Grise (Skelton)	9	Planning
42	High Raise	?	Pre-planning
43	Alston Moor	?	Pre-planning
44	Thack Moor	?	Pre-planning
45	Leaps Rigg	?	Pre-planning
46	Hill Top Farm	-	Rejected
47	Hell Rigg (Silloth)	4-6	Rejected but re-submission expected
48	Brownrigg Hall (Allonby)	5	Rejected
49	Drigg	-	Rejected
50	Gunson Heights	16	Rejected
51	Lowick Common	6	Rejected
52	Barkin House	6	Rejected
53	Whinash	27	Rejected by Secretary of State, 3/2006
54	Whinfell	-	Unlikely in light of Whinash decision
55	Greyrigg	-	Unlikely in light of Whinash decision
56	Pack Horse Hill	-	Unlikely in light of Whinash decision
PROPOSALS NOT SHOWN THAT EMERGED AFTER MAP WAS COMPLETED
A1	Flimby	3	Planning (West Coast Energy)
A2	Lazonby Fell	-	Pre-Planning (Eon)
A3	Walney Island off-shore	93-152	Consented by Government 7th Nov 2007