Inquiry into turbine project ends

The turbines would generate enough power for 47,000 homes

An inquiry into a £55m plan to build one of Europe's largest wind farms has come to an end.

The scheme would see the construction of 27 turbines, each 377ft tall, at Whinash, near Kendal in Cumbria.

Environmental groups such as Greenpeace have backed the clean energy plans but campaigners are worried about the visual impact on the countryside.

Inquiry inspector David Rose will now visit sites which may be affected and make recommendations to the government.

The turbines would occupy a 9-hectare (22.25 acre) area stretching between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Park, close to the M6 motorway.

Chalmerston Wind Power and the Renewable Development Company are leading the proposed project to build the turbines, which would generate around 67 megawatts of electricity.

Final decision

The public inquiry, which started in April and was held at Shap Wells Hotel, near Penrith, finished on Friday.

Mr Rose will look at all the evidence and then submit a report to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

The Secretary of State for the DTI will then have the final decision on whether the wind farm gets the go ahead, but this process could take at least six months.

The Cumbrian Tourist Board is amongst those opposed to the plans and naturalist David Bellamy has already vowed to chain himself to the turbines if building goes ahead.