Standish Cote Wind Farm Proposal
 A
site at Standish Cote near Marton has been proposed by Infinergy Limited for a
possible wind farm scheme. The site is on agricultural land immediately to the
west of Harlock Reservoir and Harlock Hill Wind Farm.
At the Lindal & Marton Parish Council meeting in December 2007, the
Councillors unanimously agreed to object to the planning proposal for an
anemometer mast on the grounds that it was incontrovertibly linked to the
development of a wind farm, and that such wind farm appeared to be of such
immense size that it would have a) a devastating impact on the landscape and b)
create unacceptable disruption for local residents during the construction
period.
However, despite the objections of several Parish Councils, Barrow Borough
Council approved the anemometer mast planning application on the 18th December
2007. The mast has since been erected.
The Infinergy
Standish Cote website states that environmental assessment results will be
reported to the public at a community exhibition in Summer 2008. This would
potentially be followed later in 2008 by a planning application for the wind
farm comprising up to ten turbines. A Scoping Report on the website states that
the scheme may also include replacement of the five existing Harlock Hill
turbines, by three of the same design as proposed for the Standish Cote site.
The new turbines could be over twice the height of the existing Harlock Hill
turbines.
Parish Council News
June 2008
Parish Council meetings normally take place on the first Thursday of each
month, and are open to the public. The following paragraphs are selected from
the Minutes of the June 2008 meeting. The full Minutes are on the
Downloads page. The next
meeting is on the 7th of August. Note that the normal July meeting is cancelled due to holidays.
64/08 Matters arising. a) 54/08 The Clerk confirmed that he had contacted
Capita regarding the concerns expressed by LAMPS’ School Governors about road
markings and a 20 mph speed limit. He had received a reply suggesting that an
order for road markings was due to 2 be placed shortly and that an assessment of
the need for a 20 mph speed limit would be carried out during this financial
year. If such a reduced speed limit was found to be justified it would be
considered for inclusion in the 2009/10 financial year. b) 55/08 The Clerk
reported that Capita would consider the installation of a dropped kerb, to
assist wheelchair users, on the eastern footway of The Green close to October
House. Subject to funds being available, the work could be completed within the
next 2-3 months. c) 59/08 (b) Councillor Mrs Kelly asked whether anything had
been heard regarding the missing door to the telephone kiosk at the Green. The
Clerk undertook to make further enquiries. d) 59/08 (c) Councillor Mrs Kelly
asked whether any more was known about the development at Whitriggs. The Clerk
reported that the Enforcement Officer at Barrow Borough Council was still
assessing with his colleagues the various planning implications of this
development.
65/08 Attendance of Officer from Cumbria Constabulary. Sergeant Flett
reported on the Council’s concerns about vehicles travelling above the 40 mph
maximum, on the A590 as it passed through Lindal. A survey had been carried out
which suggested an average speed of some 35 mph. As a consequence, no action was
contemplated. However, it was pointed out that, given that it was an average,
there must be occasions when vehicles were exceeding this speed (as well as
going slower) reinforcing the allegations that traffic was regularly exceeding
the 40 mph limit. It was AGREED that the Clerk should write to the Highways
Agency, in the first instance, to enquire as to the availability of
flashing-light speed warning signs to be used as a reminder to traffic of the
need to respect the speed limit. Sergeant Flett drew attention to an apparent
nationwide problem involving “hate crime”, whereby individuals could be subject
to harassment or other difficulties, merely because of differences such as being
a member of a minority group. It was felt that these matters were being
under-reported and Cumbria Constabulary wished to emphasise their availability
and willingness to assist whenever such problems occurred. Sergeant Flett
reminded the meeting that the police could always be contacted via their web
site www.cumbria.police.uk with the non-emergency telephone number being 0845
3300 247.
67/08 Lindal Village Green. There was nothing further to report regarding the
installation of kerbs around the Green. The Chairman commented on suggestions
that persons had been seen with horses on the Green, with this being considered
to be inappropriate in an area set aside for children to play, mothers to take
toddlers etc. Barrow Borough Council had already introduced a Dog Control Order
for the Green and the Clerk confirmed that he had already contacted the Council
to ask whether the current signs banning dogs could be amended to include
horses.
68/08 Prospective Wind Farm, Standish Cote. The Chairman and Clerk reported
that they had been advised of a Liaison Meeting to be held on Wednesday, 14th
May 2008, and that they had both attended. However, the meeting had had to be
abandoned due to a failure of those present to agree as to what had been agreed
at the first meeting held on 16th April, (No representatives from Lindal and
Marton had been 3 present at that first meeting), particularly regarding the way
in which representatives of the residents living in the immediate vicinity of
the development would be selected. It was left to those few residents present at
the meeting – 14th May – to decide amongst themselves who should represent them
for the next meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, 18th June, 2008. Infinergy also
confirmed that they would contact all residents who lived within the immediate
neighbourhood of the site informing them of developments and the Clerk confirmed
that he had received a list of persons to whom Infinergy had written, on the
basis that these were now considered to be “immediate neighbours”. There were
some 25 addresses in the list and it was accepted that there appeared to be no
need for the Parish Council to suggest any amendments. During further
discussions with the floor it was apparent that were was some disquiet amongst
all concerned about the format of the Liaison Committee, there being doubt over
whether there was an appropriate constitution and what the aims and objectives
of the Committee were meant to be, particularly in the light of the inefficient
and muddled workings of the first two meetings of the Committee. The Clerk
pointed out that membership seemed to be limited to elected members i.e.
councillors, plus the representatives of the residents. As a consequence, if he
attended, it could only be as an observer. It was accepted that the Parish
Council should, at present, continue to participate, with two places allocated
and, given that these did not have to be named councillors, it was AGREED that
members would liaise amongst themselves before each meeting (the next being on
Wednesday, 18th June) to decide who these should be. A final comment came from
the floor when it was pointed out that the Scoping Report produced by Infinergy
appeared to be inaccurate in that it reported an absence of otters on the site
of the proposed wind farm, when the reality was such that there were, in fact,
otters in the immediate vicinity of the site. It was noted that, if proven, such
a presence could have serious implications for the development.
72/08 Any Other Business. a) The Clerk reported that Dalton Council had
invited the Chairman to attend their Civic Sunday parade on Sunday, 22nd June
2008. The Chairman confirmed that he would be unable to attend and the Clerk
would convey his apologies. b) The Clerk referred to a child-safety DVD which
had been produced by Barrow and District Safety Action Group and which was to be
launched on Thursday, 26th June 2008. NOTED. c) Councillor Mrs Kelly drew
attention to parking problems on The Green, opposite her hair dressing salon,
whereby vehicles were being parked across the entrance to the back street to the
rear of Ulverston Road. The Clerk undertook to discuss this with Capita. d)
Councillor Ms Rainbow referred to the Village Gala, scheduled for Saturday, 5th
July 2008. Councillor Mrs Kelly agreed to arrange children’s face-painting.
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