The Planning Inspectorate will grant planning permission for the continued operation of the Kirkby Moor wind farm until 2027.
The decision by the Planning Inspectorate overturns the decision made by South Lakeland District Council’s planning committee who rejected the application submitted in 2017 to extend the operational life of the 4.8MW Kirkby Moor wind farm.
The wind farm features 12 Vestas 400kW turbines with 41.8-metre tip heights and has been operational since 1993.
Its operator Ventient has no plans to make changes to the project.
Commenting on the decision, Ventient Energy chief executive Mark Jones (pictured) said: “This decision echoes the original recommendation of the planning officer and will mean that the wind farm will have permission to continue to deliver clean, green energy for a further eight years.
“We’d like to take this moment to state how grateful we are to the many people in the local community who have supported the appeal, whose voices have played an important part in this positive outcome.”
According to Jones the decision will see public benefits enabled by the development that include restoration of parts of the moorland and an enhanced decommissioning, reinstatement and restoration scheme once the life extension period comes to an end and the turbines have been removed.
The existing community fund will also be increased, from its current level of £3555 annually initially to £24,000 annually to bring it in line with current industry best practice guidelines.
“We look forward to seeing a number of local worthy causes benefit and are excited to see the positive impact this will have on the community going forward,” Jones said.