Cumbria County Council has produced a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) dealing with onshore wind energy. The supplementary policies contained within provide guidance to help developers put together development proposals for wind energy generation. The first part of the document covers wind energy development, and the second covers landscape character. The SPD supports the policies and proposals of our emerging Local Development Framework and has been adopted by each local planning authority, including Allerdale.

Wind farms are becoming part of our landscape. Their numbers across Cumbria and the country have grown substantially over the last ten years.  As the Government wants the UK to generate more of its energy from sustainable sources, to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat climate change, the trend is likely to continue. 

Cumbria County Council and the local planning authorities in Allerdale, Carlisle, Copeland, Eden, South Lakeland and the Lake District National Park have, together, produced guidance to help decide where wind farms might be best located. 

The guidance comes in two parts which make up the  “Cumbria Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document". 

This also includes a “Sustainability Appraisal Report”  which sets out how the guidance will help Cumbria become more sustainable. As well as a "Habitats Regulation Assessment" which analyses the potential impact the document may have upon European sites of nature conservation.

Copies of the SPD, Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment, Statement of Consultation Responses, Adoption Statement, and a selection of related maps can be downloaded at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, copies can be obtained from your local library, council offices or by contacting Jenny Wain at Cumbria County Council via the details below.

This information is also contained on the website of each local planning authority that has adopted the Wind Energy Supplementary Planning Document. You can access these via the links below: