'common sense' rejection of whinash wind scheme

The government's decision (1) to reject a massive wind-energy development (2) at Whinash (3), in an area earmarked for possible designation as a National Park, has been hailed by the Council for National Parks (CNP) (4) as a common-sense decision which recognises the importance of both renewable energy and protecting the landscape.

CNP's Head of Policy Ruth Chambers says: "We congratulate the government on its decision to reject this damaging wind energy scheme. People come to Whinash because of its relative wildness and the absence of prominent man-made structures in the landscape. The development would have ruined that, and it would also have blackened the name of renewable energy because so many people did not want this scheme to go ahead.

"The Whinash ridge between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks provides an important setting for these areas. It is also being considered for designation as a National Park because of its high landscape quality. Many people have regarded this as unfinished business since the 1950s when those National Parks were designated and when the Howgills were cut in two by the designation of the Yorkshire Dales National Park because of the position of the old West Riding county boundary.

"Today's decision means that the designation process for this area can now continue with more certainty. It also sends a clear signal that, despite the continuing importance of renewable energy to addressing the challenge of climate change, schemes must be found that are compatible with our most important landscapes such as National Parks. The government's energy review (5) offers a ready made opportunity to ensure that the lessons of Whinash are not forgotten and that renewable energy can be promoted without damaging nationally important landscapes."

Notes to Editors

• 1. The government's decision was announced today. The Secretary of State found that "the Whinash site is an important and integral part of a far-reaching landscape which is highly sensitive to change and that the adverse environmental impacts of the Development would conflict with the aims of Planning Policy Statement 22 which is, in part, to minimise the impacts of wind generation and to achieve environmental safeguards". He also agreed with the Inquiry Inspector's conclusion that "the environmental harm to this particular landscape outweighs the benefits of securing renewable energy at the Whinash site".
• 2. The application was to erect 27 wind turbine generators, each with a minimum capacity of 2.5MW. The turbines would have had a hub height of 70 metres (229 ft) and a total height of 115 metres (377 ft). Each blade would have had a length of 45 metres, giving a diameter of 90 metres.
• 3. The wind development would have been built on open moorland between the A6 and M6 between the Lake District National Park and Yorkshire Dales National Park, approximately 3 kilometres to the west of Tebay, 10 kilometres south of Shap and 11 kilometres north of Kendal.
• 4. The Council for National Parks is the national charity that works to protect and enhance the National Parks of England and Wales, and areas that merit National Park status, and promote understanding and quiet enjoyment of them for the benefit of all.
• 5. The government is currently consulting on "Our energy challenge: securing clean, affordable energy for the long term". The consultation considers all aspects of the energy system, including both energy supply and demand. Follow this link to access the consultation document.

For press queries please contact:
Ruth Chambers, Head of Policy on
020 7924 4077 ext. 222