July 2010                   

Berrier Hill - Fabulous news for all those who care about the Lake District scenery.  The Secretary of State rejected the appeal and agreed with the Planning Inspector's "robust" recommendation.  The sad fact is that when blood sweat and tears are put into opposing the might of the power industry it is hard to be jubilant - just overwhelming relief that life can now start returning to relative normality.  Sadly for those affected by the proposals at

Armistead - the news is bad.  The statutary appeal has failed but consideration is being given to applying for leave to appeal to the High Court. 

June2010

Berrier Hill - Public Inquiry result delayed until the end of this month.  The local people are really being put through the ringer over this one.  

Grise - Public Inquiry - appeal rejected, an excellent result for those who put the landscape first

Cumwhinton (Newlands Farm)- Public Inquiry - appeal rejected, another wind farm stopped, this time largely due to the proximity the turbines would have been to homes.

Claughton Moor - Planning Application refused by Lancaster City Council

Armistead - The statutary appeal is being heard at the Royal Courts of Justice next week, the result should be known almost immediately.

More information about these is in the Friends of Eden, Lakeland & Lunesdale Scenery summer newsletter which I will upload as soon as I have it.

February 2010

Sillfield - A great success for protecting thelandscape!  The Planning Inspector rejected the appeal, largely on the basis of cumulative effect and impact on local homes.

Berrier Hill - Public Inquiry resumed and paused again - should finish on 23rd Feb.   

Grise - Public Inquiry outcome awaited

Cumwhinton - Awaiting result of Public Inquiry

Natural England - are currently consulting on an extension to the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks.  National Park (or AONB) status does not guarantee no wind farms - but it does provide a much greater level of protection to the landscape. Have your say here .

November 2009

Reagill/Sleagill (Midtown Farm) Anemometer mast application granted.  CARST exhibition Morland Village Hall 12.30 - 6.30pm Saturday 14th November

Lazonby Anemometer mast application granted

Sillfield - Awaiting result of Public Inquiry

Cumwhinton - Awaiting result of Public Inquiry

Grise - Public Inquiry began with a good turnout from opposition groups

Claughton Moor - Planning Application submitted for 20 x 126 metre trubines by Community Windpower Ltd (who seem to specialise in trying to get wind farms on AONBs) to read more and object

September 2009

Sillfield - Public Inquiry begins on 13th October 2009

Cumwhinton - Public Inquiry begins on 20th October 2009

Grise - Public Inquiry into application for nine turbines begins on 10th November 2009.  There is more news expected on this one, so watch this space!

Berrier Hill - Public Inquiry  has now been postponed until January 2010 due to illness. Progress after two weeks - including evidence opposing the plans from Sir Chis Bonington, Eric Robson and Doug Scott - is covered in reports and letters in local press - search for Berrier Hill in the Cumberland News, Cumberland and Westmorland Herald and Westmorland Gazette     Personal view 

Armistead - A statutary appeal has been lodged with the High Court to quash the Armistead decision. Press Report

FELLS AGM - read Press Release

Reagill Hundreds of opposition to windmast letters received by Eden District Council

NEWS Armistead wind farm an appeal on a point of law has been lodged, in an attempt to overturn the decision ofthe planning inspector.

Kelleth near Tebay and towards Ravenstonedale are new areas targeted by wind farms developers

Lazonby Fell have set up a well organised opposition group

July 2009

FELLS AGM will be on 19th August at Endmoor, starting at 7pm.

Reagill Planning Application has been made by PRE for a 50m anemometer mast.

EPAW FELLS have joined up with the European Platform Against Windfarms

BAD NEWS Armistead wind farm has been given the green light by the Planning Inspector, who acknowledged the adverse impact the turbines would have on the landscape but upheld the appeal anyway.  Government policy versus local concern is always difficult, but when it seems that all the national papers have noted that government policy is licence to destroy landscapes, it is heartbreaking.

June 2009...

Armistead Public Inquiry was completed with the intending developers for Silfield also making representations.  Countryside Protection Consortium of South Lakes led by FELLS and FoLD and represented by Geoff Sinclair made a strong case against the windfarm with many effective witnesses giving evidence on paper and in person.  The outcome is awaited.

Berrier Hill & Grise  Public Inquiry starts on 8th September and is expected to run for two weeks.  Incredible fund-raising has ensured sufficient funds are available to effectively fight these applications - thank you to all those who are contributing.

Silfield PI starts on 13th October.

Others FELLS are involved with, in brief:

Silloth (Hellrigg) – FELLS submitted a 24 page objection – Appeal upheld

              Armistead – FELLS played major role and supported ABLOT. Result pending

              Berrier Hill – PI starts September 8th. FELLS submitted major objection

              Newlands Farm (Cumwhinton) – PI pending (date to be set). FELLS submitted an objection

              Grise – FELLS submitted detailed objection and MH is a Rule 6 Party

              Sillfield – PI starts October 13th. FELLS will play a major role.

plus new applications or scoping studies at;

Black Knorrs (Bewcastle) (20)

Roughsike (10)

Mossgrove (10)

Lazonby Fell (5)

Sleagill/Reagill (near Shap) (11)

Ravenstonedale (14) and

Claughton Moor (20)

on top of other pending schemes at;

              West Newton

              Lamonby (currently withdrawn)

Shap REP

Stribers & Ellerside

Biggins and

April 2009... and the siege continues

(Shap) Sleagill and Reagill have now seen the proposals for up to eleven 125 metre high turbines under the name Midtown Farm windfarm.  They are very close to dwellings, within landscape identified for protection and arguably more sensitive andmore visible than nearby Hoff Moor where three trubines were turned down at Public Inquiry last year.

Armistead PI begins at 10 am on 28th April 2009 at Kendal Town Hall.

Lazonby E-On's plans for five turbines of 125 metre's on Lazonby Fell are at a public exhibition 22nd and 23rd April, 1pm - 7 pm at the village hall.

North of Carlisle Banks Renewables have announced plans to install 10 turbines in Mossgrove and Stonechest, and up to 20 in Black Knors.

March 2009...

Lazonby A scoping document showing E-On's plans for five turbines of 125 metre's on Lazonby Fell has now been received. 

Shap is now facing proposals from Pure Renewable Energies together with five farmers around Reagill and Sleagill.  Pre-scoping stage, but rumours suggest somewhere between eleven and fifteen turbines. 

EOn have withdrawn their application for the Lamonby wind turbines, apparently because of issues with the Skelton masts.

February 2009...

Eden District Council have said they would have turned down the Berrier Hill Application and the Grise application...  this information will go to the Public Inquiry.

Silloth PI completed andreporting in a couple of months...

Armistead PI begins at 10 am on 28th April 2009 at Kendal Town Hall.

January 2009 Update

The situation in Cumbria seems to have taken a distinct turn for the worse. Armistead is going to a Public Inquiry, Hellrigg wind farm at Silloth PI starts on Feb 3rd, Berrier Hill has now gone to PI due to 'Failure of Determination' by the Local Authority and I have heard today that Grise w/f is also going to PI for 'Non Determination'.  This rush of non-determination appeals appears to be due to moves to give local Authorities the power to introduce charges to companies seeking Public Inquiries from April 1st. Such fees might be substantial (5 or 6 figure sums). This rush of activity is placing considerable strain on FELLS and the local support groups.

ARMISTEAD: The situation is much more critical than I had realised. The FINAL DATE for 'Statements and Representations' for Armistead is Feb 17th with Final Comments on 9th March.

SILLOTH: They asked if FELLS would speak at their PI but it is in Maryport. FELLS produced a detailed Proof of Evidence which wa submitted to the Planning Inspectorate and was accepted by them. This will be read for FELLS by Julian Davis to whom we are very grateful. We have no date yet for the PI which makes everything a bit difficult.  (Now under way - all support appreciated)  

BERRIER HILL: They have been in touch to ask if we (FELLS) will give evidence at their PI. A detailed letter of objection was submitted about 18-24 months ago. I don't feel FELLS can do a lot more on the landscape issue as I am sure LDNPA and FOLD will be batting strongly there - presumably Eden DC as well.

GRISE: They have no group and no money.  The proposed site is just over 5km from the Lake District National Park at its nearest and the application is for 9 turbines about 380 feet high.   They have formally contacted me to ask if we (FELLS) will support them.

Letters opposing the windfarm should be sent ASAP to: 

Terry Scott, Case Officer,

Grise Wind Farm Application,

The Planning Inspectorate

Temple Quay House,

2 The Square,

Temple Quay

Bristol BS1 6PN