SCHEDULE A Complex Planning Applications SCHEDULE No: 9 SL/2012/0327 HELSINGTON: HIGH HOUSE FARM, HELSINGTON, KENDAL LA8 8AG PROPOSAL: ERECTION OF ONE WIND TURBINE (32.4M TO BLADE TIP) MR J M WILSON E349310 N489721 31/07/2012 SUMMARY: The proposed siting of a 34.2 metre high wind turbine on agricultural land in this location would result in a detrimental impact on the surrounding landscape. This outweighs any environmental, economic and energy benefits that the proposal would have. HELSINGTON PARISH COUNCIL: Helsington Parish Council has concerns for the loss of visual amenity arising from wind turbines. However this wind turbine is moderate in size and not in a particularly prominent position in the landscape. Therefore, balancing the moderate loss of visual amenity against the national need to reduce carbon omissions, there is no objection to the wind turbine in this particular planning application. However, there remains a general concern for the installation of wind turbines on the high ground between Kendal and the Lyth Valley. That general area, particularly the western escarpment which is exposed to the prevailing winds, is likely to prove attractive to wind turbine operators. That same area is also an extremely valuable landscape asset. More significant installation of wind turbines, whether larger turbines, or wind turbine “farms”, or a general proliferation would cause significant damage to the quality of the landscape. That damage to the landscape would then be harmful to the tourist industry, which is locally and regionally important. These concerns are applicable to the whole of the high ground to the west of Kendal, which lies within several Parishes. UNDERBARROW AND BRADLEYFIELD PARISH COUNCIL: No objections. It is of course in Helsington parish and the Council feels that the development would not be seen by most of our parish. NATLAND PARISH COUNCIL: The Parish Council support this application, although it is realised that the development will be clearly visible from the parish. The Council recognises that farmers need to diversify and this proposal will provide the farmer with an additional regular income through a government subsidy. The Council does have concerns, however, regarding the intrusion in a high quality landscape and feels that the proposed development should not be allowed to set a precedent which could lead to a proliferation of such turbines beside farms and isolated properties in open countryside. It is also hoped that the planners will require that a suitable dark colour is used to minimize the light effect from a fast revolving blade. LEVENS PARISH COUNCIL: No comments to make on this planning application. KENDAL TOWN COUNCIL: Refuse – visual impact on landscape close to Lake District National Park, and also would set a precedent. CUMBRIA HIGHWAYS: The proposal is broadly acceptable to Cumbria Highways. The site access needs to be identified on a plan. The route choice for deliveries will need careful consideration as Whetstone Lane and the access route through the town may present difficulties even with standard sized lorries. Further comments on the additional information to be reported. CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT OFFICER: Although I have no objections or comments to make regarding the impact of the proposed development on buried archaeological remains, I do suggest that, because the turbine will lie in reasonable proximity to a Scheduled Monument, it would be in line with best practice to consult English Heritage regarding any impact on the setting of the monument. ENGLISH HERITAGE Do not wish to offer any comments on this occasion. The application should be determined in accordance with national and local policy guidance, and on the basis of your specialist conservation advice. SLDC ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER: Satisfied that potential noise impact has been investigated and sufficient data provided by the applicant by way of rating assessment. Although no site specific background noise survey has been undertaken in this location, I would consider the distance from the turbine to the nearest residential property (outside of the applicants ownership) sufficient to reduce any propagated noise below that of which would be likely to give rise to adverse impact on neighbouring properties in line with current guidance. NATURAL ENGLAND: The proposal lies within 50 m of Scout and Cunswick Scar Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and within 5 km of the Morecambe Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), Ramsar site and SSSI. We do not envisage any direct impact upon these sites resulting from the proposal. There is a growing body of evidence linking turbines (both large and small-scale turbines) with negative effects on bat populations. Impacts include collision with rotors, disorientation by ultrasound emissions and interference with flight paths to and from feeding areas. To minimise risks, the siting of wind turbines must be carefully considered. Sites to avoid are turbines set in woodland or on woodland edges, along watercourses, by open water, or by linear features such as hedgerows that bats use for foraging and commuting routes. We note in the submitted Design and Access Statement that the proposed location lies more than 50 m from habitats within Scout and Cunswick SSSI, but it is important also to consider habitats, including any trees or hedgerows, which may lie in near proximity within the farm boundary. Further details are required on the potential for bats provided by habitats with 50 m of the proposed turbine location before we can make any comments on the possible risks to bat species. We note in the submitted Design and Access Statement that some mention is made about potential bird impacts and the likelihood that most birds will be less sensitive species. However, no consideration appears to have been given to establish whether there might also be sensitive bird species present in the near area which could be particularly vulnerable. We therefore recommend that a desk study is carried out to determine local presence of sensitive bird species. Some additional field survey work may then be necessary to determine whether the proposal lies on the flight lines of any local sensitive breeding or wintering bird populations. The proposed development site is not located within any sites designated for their landscape value. However, landscape issues should be considered with any proposal, as the development should always compliment the local character and distinctiveness of the surrounding area. Natural England considers that the landscape and visual impact assessment has been carried out to an appropriate methodology. We consider the conclusions in this respect, set out in the submitted Design and Access Statement for the proposed turbine, to be acceptable. Response to further information The protected species survey has identified that bats, a European protected species may be affected by this application. Our Standing Advice Species Sheet: Bats provides advice to planners on deciding if there is a “reasonable likelihood” of bats being present. It also provides advice on survey and mitigation requirements. We are now satisfied that due consideration has been given to the potential use of the area by sensitive bird species. We accept the findings of the report which suggest that there are no known records of sensitive bird species in the vicinity and the proposed development is unlikely to have a significant impact on local bird populations. RSPB: The RSPB consider that there is insufficient information with which to determine the impact from this proposed development. A desk based bird survey is required. An assessment of any significant populations of birds sensitive to wind farm developments on or overflying the site can then be made, with site based bird surveys undertaken as appropriate. Awaiting a response to the additional information. LAKE DISTRICT NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY: Due to the topography of the area and the location of the National Park boundary starting at the edge of the escarpment of Scout Scar, the National Park Authority does not consider that the proposed development would have any significant effect upon the landscape character of the National Park. The effect of the development on the setting of the National Park has also been considered. The development would have some effect upon the approach to the National Park and some views towards it from the south east, but not such that would have a significant effect upon the setting. If however the National Park boundary was to be extended in the manner that has been proposed, then we would consider that the development would cause harm to the landscape character of that part of the National Park. A National Park has the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty (National Planning Policy Statement Para 115). If you require further advice about the progress of the intended National Park extension and the weight to be given to this intended designation, you should contact Natural England. FRIENDS OF THE LAKE DISTRICT (CPRE): The National Planning Policy Framework reiterates the importance of recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside as a Core Planning Principle (17). LDF Core Strategy Policy CS8.2 states that proposals for development should be informed by, and be sympathetic to, distinctive landscape character types. The site lies within Landscape Sub-Type 3a “Open Farmland and Pavements”, as defined by Cumbria Landscape Character Assessment (LCA). The LCA notes that this is a rare and unusual landscape which is varied and interesting due to the range of limestone features and the strong sense of history derived from pre-historic features and medieval enclosure patterns. The Vision states that the high scenic quality of these limestone hills will be conserved and enhanced. Development proposals will respect the open unspoilt tops and commons and will avoid causing disruption in the lower-scale patterns of farmland, woods and villages.