Haverigg holiday site chief raises fears over views
Last updated at 16:12, Friday, 08 March 2013
THE concerned owner of a Haverigg holiday site fears beautiful views could be lost if new wind turbines are constructed.
Steven Attwood, owner of Port Haverigg Holiday Village and Butterflowers Caravan Site, says tourism in the area would be damaged if views over the sea are obscured.
Plans are being considered by Copeland Borough Council to build five 120.5m turbines on land by HMP Haverigg.
Mr Attwood is seeking new investment in the holiday village and is hoping to expand the site to accommodate 170 new caravans.
He said: “We have a beautiful sunset out over the sea, and there are already a lot of turbines out in the water.
“None of it helps. It’s bad enough that people come to Haverigg and see the sign for the prison. If people come up and want to see the view, then they could be put off buying a caravan or staying in the area.”
Mr Attwood says he is in favour of renewable energy, but has doubts over the efficiency of wind turbines. He says: “I do think this area has already done its bit, we have a lot of turbines here already.”
Brian Crawford, Millom town councillor and mayor elect, said: “Wind turbines are definitely a mixed bag and I know a lot of people are against them. In the short term we are going to need the power, but it can have a negative impact. There are people who do come to Haverigg and Silecroft to look at the turbines, so that will bring people into the area.”
Audrey Gabbert, fellow councillor and former mayor of Millom, is against the proposals.
She said: “The only people who ever seem to benefit from wind turbines are the people who make them and the people whose land they are built on.’’
Partnerships for Renewables, the company behind the turbine proposals, say money raised from electricity generated by the turbines will go into a community fund, used to benefit local causes.
The company says: “The fund would receive at least £75,000 on an annual basis for the operational life of the project, 20-25 years. This would amount to an overall fund of £1.8m over the lifetime of the project.”
First published at 16:00, Friday, 08 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
yet again another off comer spouting off,, brian, or brain ha ha so called.
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Wind Turbines are a thing off the Future unfortunatley they are UGLY Big things. Renewable Energy is important but we are supposed to be in the 21st Century surely they could invent something more discreet/appealing to generate wind power, when its under your nose so to speak.
Posted by sharon on 26 March 2013 at 19:50