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- STILE (Stop Turbines in Lunesdale Environment) is an Action Group formed in April 2005 to oppose the spread of wind turbines in conspicuous locations within the Lune Valley, where their siting would have a detrimental effect on the rural and environmental character of the area whilst providing minimal energy generation with disproportionate destruction of the countryside.
- It is the Group’s belief that the initial process of erecting such wind turbines,
including turbine manufacture, quarrying, concrete manufacture, transportation, installation
and general local disruption, together with the legacy of despoiled, concrete-
filled areas on previously virgin countryside, is neither economically viable nor environmentally justifiable in terms of the minimal reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The effects on wildlife and the biology of the landscape are unquantifiable. - STILE supports the expansion of renewable energy including wind turbines, but is concerned that too much investment is focused on inshore wind whilst other forms of renewables that could have less of an impact on the beauty of the landscape are largely ignored. Offshore wind is much more efficient and has our support.
- We believe that ineffectively attempting to reduce global warming by destroying the essentially rural character of the Lune Valley is wrong especially so close to an area being considered for National Park/Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status.
- STILE believes that wind turbines will have an adverse economic effect on the local communities and will discourage tourism.
- We believe that installing turbines in the Lune Valley is industrialisation of an unspoiled and beautiful rural area and is very much at odds with the Lancaster District Local Plan which incorporates the Council’s stated aims of ‘Environmental Protection and Enhancement’.
Among the City Council’s aims (Chapter 5 -
- To conserve non-
renewable resources such as wildlife habitats, historic buildings and open countryside; - To protect and enhance the District’s outstanding rural landscapes.