A WINDFARM near Workington will now be in operation until 2039, after a planning application to extend its life was approved by councillors.

Planning permission has been granted for the extension of the lifespan of the Windscales windfarm off the A595 by councillors at a meeting of the council's planning committee on Wednesday, December 20.

The windfarm first became operational in 2004, with the applicants Adamas hoping to extend its life for an additional 15 years.

A planning officer's report which went before the committee said: "The proposals would extend the lifespan of the turbines by an additional 15 years. This would result in their decommissioning in 2039, rather than 2024.

"As such, it would exclude any new operational development and the decommissioning would be postponed until 2039."

The report said that the windfarm's benefits to meeting low energy targets had been balanced against environmental effects when coming to a decision.

The report said: "The potential benefits of the temporary retention of the windfarm and its continued contribution towards meeting low energy targets must be balanced against the likely environmental effects.

"In balancing all of these material considerations, it is considered the retention of the windfarm for a further 15-year temporary timeslot carries significant weight and is not outweighed by any associated detrimental environmental impacts."

A leaflet drop for households within the zone of theoretical visibility from Winscales Wind Farm (2km radius) was undertaken on October 27.

The distribution of leaflets was undertaken by Royal Mail who delivered the leaflet to 1,636 addresses.

The company said a dedicated email address and corresponding inbox was provided on the leaflet, to provide means for feedback or queries regarding the proposed extension to the life of the planning permission.

The plans have been approved with conditions including that if at any time any turbine shall cease being operational for a continuous period of six months it, and any ancillary equipment, shall be removed from the site and the land reinstated unless further planning permission for its replacement has been granted in the meantime, as well as a number of other conditions.