Great Orton

The six turbines comprising the Great Orton wind farm replaced ten smaller turbines in 1999. This “re-powering” increased the maximum generating capacity of the wind farm from 3 to 4 MW but, to achieve this output, all six turbines must be operational and the wind must be blowing at between 30 and 55 mph. For these reasons, the average output over the eight years from 2003 to 2010 was less than 1 MW (22% of the maximum capacity). These turbines are 45 m high to the hub with a maximum height of 68.5 m to the tip of the blades.

 Planning Applications for individual wind turbines nearby:-  Between May and August 2012, separate planning applications were submitted for four individual turbines within 1200 m of the existing wind farm. Two of these were for proposed sites in Carlisle and two in Allerdale. Three of the proposed turbines would be significantly taller than the existing wind farm turbines

Application to Carlisle, Ref: 12/0345. This application was for a 500 kW capacity turbine with a hub height of 50 m and a 48 m diameter rotor, giving a maximum height to the tip of the blades of 74 m. The Planning officer recommended approval and the Committee granted planning permission on 13 Jul 2012.

Application to Carlisle, Ref: 12/0638. This application is for an Enercon E48 turbine with a hub height of 55.6 m and a 48 m diameter rotor, giving maximum height to the tip of the blades of 79.6 m. The proposed site is only about 550 m from the nearest properties in Great Orton village.

The Committee refused permission and the appeal was dismissed in Jan 2014

Application to Allerdale, Ref: 2/12/0524. This application is for a turbine with a hub height of 45 m and a 44 m diameter rotor, giving maximum height to the tip of the blades of 67 m. The proposed site is only about 150 m from the Watchtree Nature Reserve. The official closing date for objections is 30 August 2012 but, in practice, objections are often accepted for consideration almost up to the date of the relevant meeting of the Allerdale Development Panel. As far as we are aware, Allerdale have not required an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

The Committee refused permission and the appeal was dismissed in May 2013

Application to Allerdale, Ref: 2/12/0593. This application is for a turbine with a hub height of 55.6 m and a 48 m diameter rotor, giving maximum height to the tip of the blades of 79.6 m. These turbine details are identical to those of the turbine proposed in Application 12/0638 to Carlisle (details above). The official closing date for objections to this application is 31 August 2012 but, in practice, later objections are often accepted, as noted above. In this case, Allerdale have requested an EIA. 'However, in a letter to Allerdale Borough Council dated 5 September 2012, Mr Jim Harley of Stern Wind / Planning Consultations stated that he had been asked by Mr William Edgar, his client, to withdraw this planning application. '

 

2014

Application to Allerdale Ref: SCD/2014/0002 This application is for 1 turbine 79.6m to tip at Black Brow Farm. Screening application, EIA not required

June. Application to Carlisle District Council by Mulhollands Butchers, Great Orton for a 74m turbine 14/0555 Refused by Committee on grounds of cumulative impact with other turbines in the area and proximity to Nature Reserve Decision_Notice.pdf

This decision has now been appealed see www.pcs.planningportal.gov.uk/pcsportal/ViewCase.asp