By Thom Kennedy

Last updated at 10:25, Friday, 11 September 2009

Mountaineer Doug Scott has warned that plans for a windfarm on the edge of the Lake District could, if successful, lead to a “ring” of similar schemes around the national park.

This week saw the opening of an inquiry into a proposed nine-turbine windfarm on Berrier Hill near Greystoke. Everest conqueror Mr Scott came to the hearing to show his support for scores of campaigners opposed to the scheme.

The company behind the development said at the meeting that the turbines were necessary to help meet a directive demanding that 20 per cent of the EU’s energy should be from renewable sources by 2020.

“I quite like the design of this windfarm, but they shouldn’t be blocking this iconic view,” said Mr Scott. “To have nine structures higher than St Paul’s Cathedral blocking the eastern approach to Blencathra is not on. It’s an aesthetic thing really.

“You have got to keep urban paraphernalia, even well designed structures like these, out of and away from areas of natural beauty, as there are just not that many of them in Britain.”

Some campaigners have warned that the scheme’s proximity to the Lake District could open the door for other companies to move turbines into the area.

And Mr Scott, who will address the inquiry, added: “It could well be the thin end of the wedge. If it goes the way of the landowner then there’s a chance we could end up being ringed by these urban structures. Sometimes, the hills and mountains are more uplifting and inspiring as you approach them, not necessarily when you are in the middle of them.

“You don’t want hills like Blencathra blocked by wind turbines.”

The inquiry, at Mungrisdale village hall, was opened by government inspector Andrew Pykett on Tuesday morning.

He told the assembled meeting that he would be basing his judgement on the effect of the windfarm on the local area, on local residents, and whether these effects were serious enough that they outweighed the need for renewable energy created by the scheme.

Almost 40 people will have a chance to have their say on the scheme at the inquiry.

A further 29 will have their letters of objection read out.

But representatives of West Coast Energy, parent company of Berrier Hill Wind Energy Ltd which plans to build the windfarm, argued that Britain’s renewable energy needs outweigh the scheme’s problems.

Marcus Trinick, speaking on the company’s behalf at the meeting, said: “There is so clearly a need for a considerable number of renewable energy schemes, including onshore windfarms, if the new and challenging generation requirement for 2020 is to be met.

“The proposed Berrier Hill windfarm comes forward to this inquiry not just in the general context of, but as a direct response to this challenge.”

“Good windfarm sites are just not that easy to find,” added Mr Trinick.

First published at 05:19, Friday, 11 September 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk