What is proposed?
A company called “Community Windpower Ltd” based in Cheshire is proposing to build a wind factory consisting of at least 12 x 125 metre (410 feet) wind turbines in South Stainmore within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The turbine pictured here is 125m (410ft) high. These machines sit on large bases which require 1000s of tons of reinforced concrete to build. A new access off the A66 is proposed to bring vast quantities of materials to site along with a new network of roads on the fell. The 130 tonne low-loaders which transport the turbines in parts will need to reach Moudy Mea. Various other buildings would also be constructed (eg a substation). The power must also be moved once generated—due to cost it is extremely unlikely that all cables will be put underground. There would therefore be miles of pylons and overhead wires. The company has already stated that it proposes to open up and reinstate disused quarries on the site. The factory would have a lifespan of a generation (about 25 years). In theory the turbines could then be removed although the concrete bases would be left forever. Removal is however very unlikely. The turbines would probably be replaced with larger ones, often within less than 25 years.
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