If you click here, you will see my previous entry about renewable energy in Carlisle
January 28th saw Sir Martin Holdgate, an international environmental specialist calling for a rejection of the plans for the Berrier Windfarm, on the edge of the Lake District. Sir Martin was giving evidence to the Public Inquiry, in Mungrisdale Village Hall. Sir Michael is the latest high-profile figure to join the list of opponents to this scheme; including Sir Chris Bonnington, Doug Scott, and Sir Melvyn Bragg.
The Eden Council-appointed urban and landscape designer, David Bolt, (manager from contractors Capita Symonds) warned the Inquiry that the proposed turbines could be seen "As far away as Penrith, several miles away from the site."
Yesterday, I drove via Whinlatter and Lorton to West Cumbria, in perfect weather and great visibility. The open vista northwards, over the Solway as I approached Lamplugh saw the 60 wind turbines of Robin Rigg windfarm in all their glory - some 20 miles away. Are the Berrier turbines somehow more important than offshore developments?
These issues won't go away - and they have as much relevance to the people of Carlisle as those living closer to the proposed site. The "local" Berrier windfarm issue is actually yours. This is your landscape (or seascape), and the more people who understand this point, the better.
Meanwhile:
A licence has just been granted to Centrica,for the development of a windfarm covering a huge 858 square miles, 25 miles off the Cumbrian coast. Click here for more details
By any definition, this is a large scale development. However, what seems to be lost from current debate is just how these windfarms intend transporting electricity. If you think we're losing visual amenity with a Cumbrian windfarm, just wait until til you see how they transport electricity to the end user through our landscapes.
Elsewhere, we see the Cairngorms now under a new threat, with proposed 200ft high electricity pylons, intended to carry power produced by new windfarms. These will run right through an area of outstanding visual amenity.
So.
Protest at the loss of our Landscapes, by all means, but let's also look out to sea, and ask how these various windfarms might be transporting the end product to our homes.
