Noise pollution fears put paid to plans for Cockermouth wind turbine

CEL-633 Sound Level Meter
Class 1 with Logging
Environmental - from Casella

Fears over noise pollution were cited as one of the reasons for
plans to place a wind turbine near Cockermouth being
rejected.

Noise pollution fears were among the objections to a planned
wind turbine near Cockermouth, it has been revealed.

According to the Times and Star, plans for the 260-foot
structure at Wellington Farm were rejected by council planners
after they received a total of 64 letters of objection prior to its
meeting.

Leigh and Hodgson Stamper had applied to erect a 500kw three-blade turbine near the A66, but council members voted 17 to two against giving permission.

Ms Stamper explained that she was not entirely surprised by the decision and revealed that she was unsure of her next step.

"We had a feeling the plans would be rejected. I’m not certain at this stage whether we will appeal," she told the news provider.

"We will reflect on the decision and take advice from the wind turbine company."

Other objections included fears that the large steel structure would not be in keeping with the local landscape and might be detrimental for the area's tourism industry.

Local resident Sarah Steel explained that the lack of any consultation of neighbours prior to planning permission being sought was ill-advised.

"We have a variety of different owls, bats and birds which would be disturbed by the preparation of this site," she added.

Noise monitoring equipment could be a useful way of ensuring such sites do not affect neighbours with noise pollution.  Visit the noise monitoring section of the Frontline Safety website to view more products.

Meanwhile, the Lancashire Telegraph recently reported that complaints over the noise made by cockerels in Rossendale has led to the local council issuing advice and warnings over noise pollution in relation to the birds.

Posted by Shona Innes