Who we are

A BLOT is an action group, comprising concerned residents of Old Hutton, Mansergh, Old Town, Barbon, Middleton and other communities that will be affected. It has been formed to oppose this development. and ensure that the beauty of the landscape which we are privileged to live in remains unspoiled for future generations.

In 1998 another developer applied unsuccessfully for planning permission to construct a wind farm at Barkin Lot, very close to the site currently proposed. When rejecting this application SLDC made it clear that the impact on the landscape would be unacceptable. All that has happened now is that the new developer has applied to build the wind farm a short distance away from the original Barkin Lot site, but occupying the very same landscape that made the application unacceptable to the Council.

The name 'A Blot' refers to 'a blot on the landscape' a name that derives from objections to the earlier proposal for a wind farm at 'Barkin Lot'.

The 1998 planning application failed on the grounds that the wind farm would have serious visual impact on the beautiful landscape. Since then the landscape remains as beautiful as ever. In fact more recent developments such as water pipelines, reservoirs and electricity lines have been required to go to considerable lengths to be buried in order to preserve the beauty of the landscape but the proposal is to build turbines which are 100 feet taller.

It is our belief that this proposal will destroy a landscape which has been designated as being landscape of 'County Importance'. People walk, run, ride, fish, cycle and generally enjoy this landscape for the qualities it has. Do they really want to look out from near or far onto a scene which is just so alien to it?

Those of you who are local to the area will know the turbines at Lambrigg near to Junction 37 of the M6. The turbines proposed near Old Hutton are over 100 feet taller and are in a location from where they will be seen much more frequently from many more places. In fact, from several locations around the site you will be able to see the turbines at Lambrigg and at the same time also see the ones proposed here. In a few locations it will also be possible to see the turbines at Caton Moor as well. We feel this is nothing more than industrialisation of a natural landscape.

You should also be aware that other developers have shown interest in building wind farms in and around the Kendal Low Fells. For example near Arkholme, on the slopes of Hutton Roof near Burton-in-Kendal, and Scout Hill, and on Firbank Fell. If our communities do not join together to oppose these inappropriate developments we may soon find ourselves looking out onto a landscape which is dominated by wind farms and is completely different in character from the one we all so enjoy now.

A BLOT supports the regulated growth of renewable energy but is concerned that too much investment is focused on onshore wind whilst other forms of renewables that could have less of an impact on the beauty of the landscape are largely ignored.

We believe that ineffectively attempting to reduce global warming by destroying the essentially rural character of the Lune Valley and its fringes is wrong especially so close to an area being considered for inclusion in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

A BLOT is genuinely concerned about the negative impact this proposal will have on the landscape for at least a generation, and feels the benefits are far outweighed by the disadvantages.