Plans rejected for controversial power plant near Kendal

Controversial plans for a gas-fired power plant near Kendal have been rejected by South Lakeland District Council's planning committee.

Campaigners say the application at Old Hutton would have had a negative affect on the local community, with more than 1,000 people having signed a petition opposing the scheme.

Stratera Energy put forward the application, and say it would have helped meet peak demand for electricity, often when green energy isn't operational.

The council believes this would have been industrial development in the open countryside, with no benefit to the local community to justify it.

It also cited noise, pollution, traffic with difficulty of emergency access and public safety as reasons to refuse the application.

The company can now appeal the decision if it decides to.