(Item 9) Application No. 2-06-1321 Winscales Moor Wind Farm
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
RECOMMENDATION 1.1 To raise an objection to the proposal as it is contrary to Policy R44 due to its effects on the landscape character and Policy E37 as it is not compatible with the landscape capacity of the area. It would cause unacceptable harm to the landscape character both individually, and cumulatively with other wind energy schemes in the Workington area. 2 THE PROPOSAL 2.1 The development site is located to the north east of Winscales, Workington. The land is reclaimed from opencast coal mining. 2.2 The scheme involves the construction of 7 wind turbines, 81m high to blade tip, each with capacity of 1.3 MW. This would provide a total maximum ‘installed capacity’ of up to 9.1MW. The total output could meet the electricity needs of around 4,000 households. It is likely the turbines would be painted in a semi matt grey in colour. 2.3 Access to the site is proposed along the minor road from the A595 to Stainburn, running along the south west edge of the site. 4.5m wide access tracks would connect with each turbine using, where possible, existing agricultural tracks. 2.4 The proposal also includes a single storey substation and control building, sited at the southern corner of the site, a 55m anemometer mast and crane hardstandings beside each turbine. 2.5 The scheme proposes to generate electricity for approximately 25 years. At that time a decision would be taken by the developer whether to decommission, refurbish or replace the turbines. If the turbines were to be replaced or refurbished they would be subject to a further planning application. The proposal would be connected to the local 33kV line. 2.6 The scheme is adjacent to the Winscales Wind farm, with around 0.35km between the nearest proposed turbine and working turbine. This comprises 11 turbines. 3 turbines are 69.5m high to blade tip and 8 are 73m high to blade tip. 2.7 The site lies in Landscape Character Sub Type 5a – Lowland – Ridge and Valley. 3 REPRESENTATIONS 3.1 Allerdale Borough Council has received 70 letters of support and 15 letters of objection from the local community. 4 STRATEGIC ISSUES 4.1 As Strategic Planning Authority the County Council needs to consider whether this application would materially conflict with or prejudice the implementation of any policy contained within the Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 – 2016 (JSP). 4.2 The key issues raised by this application are: Whether the development creates a significant detrimental effect on the landscape character, biodiversity and the natural and built heritage [policies E34, E37, R45 and R44 of the JSP]. Whether there is an unacceptable level of cumulative impact due to its proximity to other operational and consented wind energy developments [policy R44]. Whether the development creates significant adverse effect on local amenity, the local economy, highways, aircraft operations or telecommunications [policy R44]. Whether the energy contribution and other benefits of the proposal outweigh any adverse effects [policies ST4 and R44] 4.3 Additional guidance on the provision of wind energy developments in Cumbria is contained within ‘Wind Energy Development in Cumbria – Statement of Supplementary Planning Guidance 1997’. 4.4 The County Council and Allerdale Borough Council have both approved the consultation draft Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document. This is currently being revised for adoption following public consultation. This includes a detailed Landscape Capacity Assessment which identifies the potential capacity of the area to support wind energy development. 4.5 The Environmental Statement (ES) submitted with the application covers a wide range of potential impacts including those that relate to the main policy issues outlined above. This has been considered in detail to help assess the impact of the proposal. Landscape, Visual and Cumulative Impacts Landscape Character 4.6 The site lies within Landscape Character Type 5a – Lowland – Ridge and Valley (Cumbria Landscape Classification 1995). The site is situated on the northern flank of a low ridge above the coastal lowlands around Workington. This landscape type is characterised by a series of low expansive ridges interspersed by shallow valleys and tributaries of the River Derwent. The area is characterised by a patchwork of large, regular shaped open fields of improved pasture bounded by ditches, wire fences and some low hedges, shelterbelts of woodland and coniferous plantations. There are several small to medium villages nestled along the ridges and valleys found within the area. Electricity pylons are a reoccurring feature in the landscape and Winscales wind energy development is a prominent feature. 4.7 The site reflects several of the landscape characteristics. It is generally open in character comprising medium to large size improved agricultural fields bounded in part by small coniferous and deciduous woodland belts, and intersected by hedges, drainage ditches, wire fences and grass banks. The site rises gently to the south and north. Pylons can be found along the site boundary and adjacent to it. 4.8 A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment forms part of the Environmental Statement. This identifies the landscape character as predominantly lowland agriculture following a series of ridges and valleys. The pasture land is interspersed by mixed scrub and plantation woodland, hedges and hedgerow trees. The area includes small to large settlements and pylons, masts and wind energy developments are also a common feature. I agree with this statement. 4.9 The Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Guidance (1997) identifies the landscape type as having the potential to accommodate, exceptionally, up to a large cluster of 6-9 turbines in a single installation. 4.10 More recently a landscape capacity assessment has been carried out that forms part of the Draft Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document. This identifies the area as having moderate sensitivity and a moderate capacity to accommodate wind energy development. It suggests the landscape has the potential to support up to 3-5 turbines, and 6 – 9 turbines in exceptional circumstances, in open flatter areas and broad ridge tops where development relates to the medium to large scale landform with dominating wide views. The proposal is sited in an area that has landscape characteristics that reflects this, and 6-9 turbines could be acceptable. The scheme of 7 turbines, on its own, would accord with the overall landscape capacity findings. However, the proximity and effect of the existing wind energy development of 11 turbines at Winscales I and II needs to be considered. Supporting the proposed extension would, essentially, result in 18 turbines being located in the landscape. This exceeds the landscape capacity findings. 4.11 The applicant concludes that the proposal would produce a significant effect on the local landscape character within 3km of the site, but that the proposal would not cause a significant effect on the broader landscape character type or adjacent landscape character types. I agree that the landscape character effects would be significant within 3km of the site. 4.12 The scheme would introduce an additional 7 turbines into the landscape and would be seen in conjunction with the existing 11 turbines of Winscales I and II, and two lines of pylons that form a prominent feature in the area. In my opinion, the proposal would result in an extension of the existing development at Winscales and would form one large prominent feature in the local landscape. I consider that this would cause unacceptable harm to the landscape character due to the overall scale of the combined developments. 4.13 The applicant considers that this proposal, in combination with the existing development of Winscales I and II, should be considered exceptional on planning grounds, rather than landscape grounds, when interpreting the Draft Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document and its associated landscape capacity assessment. Visual Effects 4.14 The applicant concludes that the proposal could be most widely seen from properties, settlements, roads, footpaths and bridleways within 3km of the site. Views would be possible from a range of locations within Workington, including the river estuary, the Howe and residential properties on the edges of the town. It would also be visible from the edges of Great Clifton, Seaton, Stainburn and Camerton. However, the local topography, buildings and trees are likely to screen the proposal in places restricting the number of properties that will experience views. There are several individual residential properties within 0.6 – 1.1km of the site. Although a significant change in view will be experienced from these properties, the proposal is likely to be partially obscured by the trees associated with the site. Other significant views will be seen by motorists travelling along the A66 and A595, along the footpaths closest to the site, national cycle routes and minor roads within 3km of the site. From these areas the proposal will often be seen in conjunction with the operational Winscales development. 4.15 The applicant identifies that the proposal would be visible from the Lake District National Park. However, the visual impacts are not considered to be significant due to the expansive views across the landscape and the distance from the park’s boundary (8.8km at its nearest point). I generally agree with this. 4.16 The applicant has assessed the visual effects of the proposal from several viewpoints and from a process of computer modelling. The applicant concludes that the proposal would be visually prominent from several locations, often seen as one development with the operational Winscales development. The applicant considers that although there are significant visual effects in some locations within 3km of the site, these are not unacceptable as the viewpoints already experience wind turbines through the operational Winscales development. I do not agree with this.