A successful South Cumbrian wind farm has been granted permission to operate for up to an additional 15 years.
Banks Renewables was originally given permission to construct and operate the Armistead Wind Farm, which sits to the east of the M6 between junctions 36 and 37, for a maximum of 25 years, and began generating green electricity on the site in 2013.
A successful South Cumbrian wind farm has been granted permission to operate for up to an additional 15 years.
Banks Renewables was originally given permission to construct and operate the Armistead Wind Farm, which sits to the east of the M6 between junctions 36 and 37, for a maximum of 25 years, and began generating green electricity on the site in 2013.
In May last year, Banks Renewables, working with development consultancy Pegasus Group, submitted a planning application to South Lakeland District Council for permission to run the six-turbine scheme for an additional 15 years, taking its expected lifetime to a maximum of 40 years.
Employees from Banks Renewables spoke with and listened to the local parish councils and the community over the details of the proposals, with no objections or concerns being raised.
Preston Patrick and Mansergh Parish Councils wrote to South Lakeland District Council expressing support for the proposals, and South Lakeland District Council has now given its approval to Banks’ application.
“The Armistead Wind Farm is supporting our contribution to the UK’s crucial journey towards its Net Zero targets”
No aspects of the wind farm’s day-to-day operation will change, no new turbines are being planned and all the original planning conditions, including those which protect the residential amenity of local residents, remain unaltered.
The Armistead Wind Farm produces enough clean electricity to meet the annual needs of more than 8,000 homes and, by doing so, it displaces over 5,300 tonnes of carbon dioxide from the electricity supply network.
It also generates almost £14,000 every year for the Armistead Wind Farm Community Fund, which supports local community and environmental projects put forward by local voluntary groups and charities.
The fund will also be extended for a further 15 years.
Banks Renewables is one of the leading owner/operators in the UK onshore wind industry and has a portfolio of ten operational onshore wind farms located across Scotland and the north of England, with more projects set to follow in Scotland.
Richard Dunkley, managing director of Banks Renewables says: “The Armistead Wind Farm is coming up to its tenth anniversary and is supporting our contribution to the UK’s crucial journey towards its Net Zero targets by continuing to generate significant amounts of clean green electricity.
“Our aim is to maximise the environmental, energy security and social benefits that can be delivered through the Armistead Wind Farm, a process which extending its permitted lifespan by a further 15 years will now allow us to do.”