KIRKBY MOOR WIND FARM TO BE EXPANDED

National Wind Power is planning to expand its wind farm at Kirkby Moor in Cumbria with up to 16 machines. According to NWP's John Ainslie the site has a number of advantages: any new wind development would be able to make use of the existing substation and grid connection and the policies of the local planning authority, South Lakeland District Council, are supportive. He also believes that enlarging existing sites has less impact on the landscape than building a separate new project. The plans have so far been well received locally, he claims. This bears out the results of an earlier local public opinion survey which found that 82% of people questioned support the development of wind farms in the local area, adds Ainslie. "The public attitude survey is one of the things that gives us confidence in moving forward," he says.