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Allerdale Borough Council Planning Application 2/2014/0584 Proposed Installation of a small scale wind turbine with a hub height of 18.45 Development: and 25m to tip to generate electricity for onsite use. Location: The Ling Welton Carlisle Applicant: Mr Brian Donald Drawing Nos: CF20 - Proposed turbines PL01 - Site location plan PL02 - Block plan Email confirming hub and tip height received 7 January 2015 Email received 18 December 2014 regarding noise assessment Email confirming distance from boundary received 17 April 2015 Recommendation: Approved Summary/Key Issues Issue Conclusion Principle of Paragraph 93 of the NPPF makes clear that the provision of Development renewable energy infrastructure is central to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Use To generate onsite electricity for the consumption of The Ling and would support ongoing viability of farming operation and would provide a second income stream. Scale The scale of the development is suit able for the locality . Landscape The turbine is satisfactorily sited within the locality and is screened by farm buildings and woodland. Amenity No adverse impacts in terms of noise, visual amenity or shadow flicker. Ecology and No adverse i mpact on protected species or important Ornithology habitats. Cultural Heritage No adverse impact on cultural heritage . Proposal The candidate turbine is a C 7 F Green Energy 20kW wind turbine, known as a CF20 and would have a 13.1m blade swept diameter and measures 18.45m height to hub, 25m height to blade tip, would have 3 blades and generate 20kW generating capacity. Permission would be sought for 25 years from the first generation of electricity on site, after which the turbine would be removed and the site restored. It is intended to generate on site electricity for the consumption of The Ling. The wind turbine will support the ongoing viability of the farming operations by reducing energy costs and providing a second income stream to complement the core business. The foundations will measure 5.5m by 5.5m. Underground cabling extending 150m will be required to transport the power generated. The proposed grid connection lies to the southern tip of The Ling farmyard. The proposal would generate in the region of 45,000kWh of electricity per annum. This estimate is based on the NOABL wind speed of 5.2m/s at 10m AGL for the proposed site. Relevant Policies National Planning Policy Framework Meeting the challenge of climate change, flooding and coastal change Conserving and enhancing the natural environment Conserving and enhancing the historic environment Supporting a prosperous rural economy Planning Practice Guidance for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy July 2013 Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) Adopted July 2014 Policy S1 - Presumption in favour of sustainable development Policy S14 - Rural economy Policy S19 - Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technologies Policy S27 - Heritage Assets Policy S32 - Safeguarding amenity Policy S33 - Landscape Policy S35 - Protecting and enhancing biodiversity and geodiversity Policy S36 - Air, water and soil quality Policy S4 - Design principles Policy DM17 - Trees, hedgerows and woodland National Planning Policy and Allerdale Local Plan (Part 1) are broadly supportive of proposals for renewable energy development. The need to meet national targets for the generation of electricity and heat from renewable and low carbon sources is recognised as are the wider environmental, community and economic benefits of such development. To ensure that the impacts of the development (either in isolation or cumulatively) are, or can be made acceptable, Policy S19 of the Allerdale Local Plan 2014 sets out clear criteria for the consideration of proposals for renewable energy development, including wind turbines. The criteria most relevant to the consideration of the application are considered below and when assessing the merits of the proposed development it is necessary to balance the economic, social and environmental benefits of the proposed renewable energy development with any adverse environmental impact of the proposed turbine. Relevant Planning History None Representations Sebergham Parish Council - Objection on the basis of its long standing policy of only supporting small scale turbines (up to 15m hub height) which are designed to supply farms and local businesses. Policy sets out a safeguarding distance of 800m. The turbine at the Ling will have 6 residential properties within 800m. Environmental Health - No objections subject to planning conditions Cumbria Highways - No objections subject to planning conditions Natural England - No objections. The site is within close proximity to the River Eden and Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This SSSI forms part of the River Eden Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Not likely to have a significant effect on the interest features for which river Eden classified. Natural England advises the LA is not required to undertake an Appropriate Assessment. Will not damage or destroy the interest features for which the River Eden and Tributaries SSSI has been notified. Cumbria Wildlife Trust - No objections verbal response. No objections regarding Lingside and Ling Wood County Wildlife site. Barn Owl Trust - No objections RSPB - No representation received Carlisle Airport - No objections NATS - No safeguarding objection Civil Aviation Authority - No objections Ministry of Defence - No objections Geospace Air info team - No objections Electricity Northwest - No objections Aquiva - No objections The application has been advertised on site and adjoining owners have been notified. 3 emails/ letters of objection have been received expressing the following concerns. • As the turbine is over 15m in height it is not a minor wind turbine; • It is very noticeable in an otherwise unspoilt rural landscape; • Cumulative and sequential impact when seen in conjunction with other turbines within the area; • Blot on landscape and a huge structure; • Drainage issues; • Adverse impact on tourism Force - Refuse. Concern about height dimensions, and proximity to nearby dwellings and quality of photomontages that would show the impact of the proposed wind turbine on the receiving landscape and they do not accurately reflect the magnitude of change that the turbine would bring to the area. Concern that deciduous tree only provide seasonal screening. The area already has considerable turbine development within the locality. Concern will adversely affect tourism in locality and will have cumulative impact on moving receptors as they travel to and from the Lake District National Park. Site and Surroundings The site lies approximately 110m to the north east of the centre of the Ling Farm yard, on the opposite side of the access track to the premises. The area comprises of small agricultural fields, interspersed with blocks of woodland, trees and vegetation. The nearest stretch of Ling Lane lies approximately 290m to the north west of the proposed turbine location. The village of Welton is approximately 1.1.km to the south- southeast and Thursby and Dalton lie some 5km to the north-northwest and north- northeast respectively. The site is 1.8km SE of the River Eden and tributaries SSSI/ River Eden SAC and 5km SW of the Lake District National Park. There have been a number of wind farm developments within 5km to include: 2/2009/0316 Single turbine 11.78m to tip. Rylands Farm, Welton. Approved 2/2010/0319 Single turbine to tip 24.8m. Chalkside Farm. Appeal Allowed 2/2010/1039 Single turbine 24.8m to tip, East Curthwaite farm. Refused 2/2011/0463 Single turbine 27.1m to tip. Townhead Farm, Brocklebank. Approved 2/2011/0184 Erection of small scale turbine 24.8m to tip (resubmission of 2/2010/1039). East Curthwaite Farm. Approved 2/2012/0241 Single turbine 47m to tip. The Ling. Refused 2/2013/0227 3 x turbines 115m Carwath. Refused 2/2014/0419 Single turbine 45m to tip. Reathwaite Farm. Refused It is noted that turbines around 25m in height or less have generally been supported within the locality. Landscape and Visual According to the Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document SPD (July 2007), the proposed site lies within the Type 5 Lowland Character Type (LCT) and specifically the Low farmland sub-type 5b and has a ‘moderate’ landscape capacity for wind energy development. The turbine would be located to the north of farm buildings and therefore dwellings to the south are screened from the turbine. There is also deciduous woodland screening to the west, north and south of the development. No landscape features such as trees and hedgerows will be disturbed by the proposal and due to the moderate scale of the development when considering the landscape assessment the turbine is not considered to have an adverse impact on the wider landscape. In order to address community concerns and in the interests of residential amenity and safety the Allerdale Local Plan adopted July 2014 sets out an expectation that a minimum separation distance of 800m will be provided between wind turbines (over 25m to blade tip) and residential properties. This scheme is for a turbine of 25m therefore the 800m rule itself does not apply but the criteria used in Policy S19 of the ALP Part 1 July 2014 are relevant to consider in the assessment of this application. It is recognised that in some cases due to site specific factors such as orientation of views, land cover, other buildings and topography it may be appropriate to vary this threshold where it can be demonstrated through evidence that there is not unacceptable impact on residential amenity. It is considered that the turbine is well screened within the locality by farm buildings to the south and woodland to the west and north west and south. It is considered that dwellings from the south are sufficiently distant and screened from the development to not cause an unacceptable residential amenity from a visual point of view to include various dwellings found within the locality of Ling Side farmstead (circa 270m distant to the south).

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