By Julian Whittle

Last updated at 09:40, Friday, 23 October 2009

Cumbrian villagers will become sleep-deprived zombies if a proposed windfarm goes head, a public inquiry heard.

An artist's impression of how the proposed turbines would look at Newlands Farm

Bolsterstone Innovative Energy is appealing against refusal of planning consent for three 377ft-high turbines at Newlands Farm, Cumwhinton.

The planning application last year was one of the most controversial ever handled by Carlisle City Council.

The inquiry at the Civic Centre heard from residents opposed to the scheme.

Maureen Blenkinsop-Higginbotham claimed the turbines could cause sleep disturbance, headaches, tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, rapid heart beat, irritability, problems with concentration and panic attacks.

She said: “These symptoms have been classified as wind-turbine syndrome.

“Cumwhinton will end up full of zombies on the sick. We will be unable to move away from our homes because they will be unsaleable.”

John Mallinson, of Holme Meadow, Cumwhinton, argued that in most of Europe turbines were not allowed within 1,500m of residential property.

David Morton, who lives 700m from the site, said: “We have been unable to locate any other windfarm scheme in the UK so close to so many residential properties.

“The entire village is within 1,500m of the turbines – 175 homes plus the school.”

Colin Stamper, of Cringles Farm, would be 420m from the nearest turbine. He was particularly worried about the flicker effect of sunlight through the blades.

“Imagine someone flicking a light on and off in your house constantly,” he said.

This flicker effect was illustrated in a video from Ron Williams who lives 800m from a windfarm at Bothel.

He described the “relentless and repetitive swish-swish noise as “mental torture”.

Earlier, planning inspector Paul Griffiths, who is chairing the inquiry, said the main issues he would consider were whether there would be harm to the landscape or living conditions of residents, and if that harm was outweighed by the benefits of renewable energy.

The inquiry heard from Stuart Galpin, a landscape architect appearing for the city council, who argued that the windfarm would have a “major adverse impact”.

But under cross examination he struggled to justify his claims or name locations from where the site could be seen.

Planning consultant Lydia Lewis, also appearing for the council, said the turbines would have a “serious and adverse visual impact”.

And Carl Taylor, a landscape architect appearing for the Action Against Newlands Wind Farm, argued the turbines would have a “significant and adverse effect” on countryside.

Bolsterstone’s experts disputed those arguments.

Landscape architect James Welch said the visual effects would be “limited” while town planner Richard Woodford argued there was a “clear and urgent need” for more windfarms to meet Government targets for renewable energy.

There would be an impact on “a number of properties” – in some cases significant – but overall planning policies favoured the windfarm.

He added: “This is a scheme of national significance and will help in achieving renewable-energy targets.”

City councillors refused planning consent – against the advice of planning officers – on the grounds that the turbines would be “seriously detrimental” to the landscape. But Bolsterstone’s barrister, Vincent Fraser QC, said: “It is quite clear the sorts of impacts being made are not sufficient to outweigh the benefits.”

The inquiry was due to end this week but will sit for one day next month because so many objectors wanted to speak. It is also hearing an appeal against refusal of a separate planning application for a meteorological mast.

First published at 05:18, Friday, 23 October 2009
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk