Reathwaite Farm, Brocklebank

= Update 2014 =

Communication from Pure Renewable Energy "we had an anemometer mast at the site which has now been decommissioned. We believe the site has excellent potential for a wind farm but have no plans in the near future to take this development further."

= Anemometer mast =

The planning authority reference 2/2010/0879 relates to an application by the wind farm developer 'Pure Renewable Energy' in October 2010 for planning permission to erect a wind monitoring mast with a maximum height of 70.3 m. The application stated that "the development proposed relates to the possible future development of a wind farm comprising a maximum of nine wind turbines". The icon on the map shows the approximate position of the proposed mast which is 2.25 km from the Lake District National Park.

The application was considered by the Allerdale Borough Council Development Panel in December 2010. Westward, Sebergham and Boltons parish councils had recommended refusal of the application. There had been over 50 written objections, and local residents spoke at the Panel meeting drawing attention to the number of applications being made for masts and wind farms in the area just outside the National Park and impact that such developments have on the landscape. Following discussion, the members of the Panel rejected their officers' recommendation and refused planning permission.

The applicant appealed and, in July 2011, after considering written representations, the appointed Planning Inspector granted planning permission for the mast for a period of two years and awarded costs against the Council.

= Earlier scoping application =

In 2009 a predecessor firm 'Pure Renewable Energies', submitted a scoping application (Allerdale reference sco/2009/0003). The application advised the planning authority of the firm's possible intention to apply for planning permission to develop "a wind farm cluster" of up to 11 turbines with a maximum height to the tip of the blades of 125 m. Typical turbines being considered were said to be up to 75 m high to the hub, with a rotor diameter of up to 100 m.

The Allerdale Planning and Development Manager advised the applicant of the scope of the required Environmental Impact Assessment in a letter dated 23 September 2009. The relevant documents are available on the Allerdale website, including a draft layout plan showing notional positions for the eleven turbines envisaged at that time (via the sco/2009/0003 link above).

Site -Reathwaite Farm, Brocklebank, Wigton CA7 8DN Lat/Long 54.7830556, -3.0730556