COUNCILLORS have refused planning permission for a west Cumbrian wind turbine which had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Members of Cumberland Council's planning committee met on Wednesday (August 30) at the Civic Centre in Carlisle to consider plans to put a 1MW turbine, measuring 75 metres to the tip, at New Balance Athletic Shoes in Flimby, near Maryport.

A council planning officer told members there were a number of other turbines in the area and the application was considered acceptable.

One local told the meeting that residents had raised objections and he felt they had not been investigated by planners, letters of support received by the council were not from the local community and there were safety concerns for employees at the factory.

But a spokesman for the applicant's agent said the factory had a long association with the local area with more than 300 employees on site.

He said there were already solar panels at the site, but installing more was not feasible, and the proposed development would have a 'limited impact' on the surrounding area.

According to a planning report the proposed site covers an area of 0.4 hectares of land located to the south west of the Flimby factory.

However, councillor Jimmy Grisdale (Seaton, Labour) said there were residential properties closer to the site than the 800m limit outlined in the Allerdale Local Plan 2014. He added: "All the properties are going to be well within that."

He said that, just because there were already turbines in the area, it did not automatically justify another one and he questioned why there could not be more solar panels.

Councillor Roger Dobson (Corby and Hayton, Lib Dems) asked what the likely noise impact would be on nearby residential properties and he was informed it would be below the current background noise level.

Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group) said there had been no assessment on the effect the development would have on local wildlife, especially bats, and the area was 'overdeveloped' with turbines.

The council planning officer said she was not aware of any recorded bat fatalities in the area. She added: "A working factory is going to be an unusual place for bats to roost."

Cllr Grisdale said there was a danger of the turbine toppling over and he moved that they reject the application quoting various planning policies to support going against the officer's recommendation to approve the plan. He said: "This will affect the local community."

Councillor Andrew Semple (Cockermouth South, Labour) said: "I completely agree with what Cllr Grisdale has said. Our job is to protect residents."

He said controversial applications, such as the one they were considering, caused a great deal of anxiety for local residents.

Councillor Linda Jones-Bulman (Cleator Moor East and Frizington, Labour) said, as well as the danger of toppling, it had been known for turbine blades to become detached.

When the matter was put to the vote seven committee members rejected the application with just one in favour of granting planning permission.

The application was for full planning permission for a turbine with a hub height of 46 metres and a blade diameter of 58 metres.

The report said: "The proposed turbine will be sited 29 metres to the south east of the New Balance factory and 145 metres to the west of the A596.

"The proposed development includes a new access track, constructed from hardcore, from the A596. The proposed access will be used for installation and maintenance purposes.

"The wind turbine will be fitted with trailing edge serrations, a sawtooth pattern to improve airflow over the turbine blade.

"It will also be fitted with an illuminance sensor for shadow flicker prevention.

The turbine will be ‘pitched controlled’ meaning that the speeds of the rotor can be controlled by pitching the blades. When pitched fully at 90 degrees, the rotor will stop."

The proposed development would provide a total installed capacity of 1,805MW per year. The current on-site energy demand is 675.3MW per year.