A West Cumbrian wind turbine that is beyond repair is set to be replaced by a larger version.
The existing turbine at Copperas Hill in Harrington, near Workington, has operated since 2014.
It has been underperforming due to an ongoing maintenance issue, which was not possible to repair to a point where it would be resolved.
Planning permission was granted for 25 years for the turbine, which can operate until 2039.
Planning consultants Axis asked Cumberland Council if a new environmental impact assessment would be needed for a replacement turbine, almost twice the size of existing one.
The existing turbine has a tip height of 60.98m, while the replacement’s maximum tip height is 113m.
It would be erected next to the existing turbine, which would then be dismantled.
Natural England urged the authority to demand an extra assessment. It said the new turbine could have potential likely significant effects on the nearby Siddick Ponds Site of Special Scientific Interest and St Bees Head Heritage Coast.
However, Cumberland Council said it did not need to carry out an assessment because the development did not qualify as one which needed it.
A statement from the council’s planning department said such a development of that type would only require an assessment “if it was likely to have significant effects upon the environment by reasons of factors such as its size, nature or location”.
The site is described as an agricultural field, part of an existing farm holding and the report states: “The farm is positioned to the south of the settlement of Harrington, north of Lowca and west of Distington.
The report added: “Having considered the landscape character and its level of sensitivity, the presence and extent of wind turbines within this landscape, and the various visual receptors, it is not considered that the potential landscape and visual impacts would be significant.
“No information has been presented to suggest that these turbines are presently giving rise to any significant level of harm to residential amenity by way of shadow flicker or noise however updated assessments would need to be submitted as part of a planning application to increase the height to ensure that neighbouring amenity is maintained.”
The report concluded that the nature of the development is not considered to be particularly environmentally sensitive or vulnerable, nor would it have unusually complex and potentially hazardous environmental effects.
