Last updated at 15:45, Sunday, 15 July 2012

HUNDREDS of wind turbines could be built off the coast of Walney as plans for a new windfarm continue to progress.

Dong Energy’s communication manager Peter Sills gave a presentation to Cumbria County Council’s local committee for Barrow, detailing the plans for the Danish energy giant’s proposed third windfarm for the area.

However, Mr Sills faced tough questioning from councillors who were eager to stress the importance of the company providing local jobs.

Mr Sills said the company is reviewing an area in the Irish Sea, which is similar to the size of the Isle of Man, to review where more turbines could be placed.

Three options for the expansion are being examined – building 209, 145m-high turbines, or 91 larger, 195m turbines, or a mixture of 91 of the larger and 40 of the smaller turbines.

The first stage of the consultation was carried out last year and Dong is to begin consulting residents in September. Mr Sills said around 60 per cent of people who were consulted at the first stage said they were in favour of the windfarm.

Mr Sills said the area would benefit financially during the two-year construction phase and between 60 and 100 potential jobs would be created.

But Councillor Anne Burns said: “There is very little benefit in terms of employment opportunities for this community. If you are going to be blotting our landscape, what are the benefits in doing that?”

Mr Sills replied that many of the 60 staff who work at the windfarm are from the local area.

Councillor Jim Hamezeian asked how many people had taken part in the previous consultation and was informed that 200 people had completed questionnaires.

Councillor Tina Macur said Dong needed to help local people gain apprenticeships and Councillor Bill Bleasdale said he was frustrated that Mr Sills couldn’t answer some of the questions he was asked.

He said: “This has not been an informative session, it has been a presentation with not many facts.”

First published at 13:11, Sunday, 15 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk