Fears over new wind turbines near Truro
There are now serious fears about the impact that a proposed wind farm development near Truro will have on a local community.
The plan is for turbines at Carland Cross following a planning application, submitted by Scottish Power, to remove the 15 existing 49-metre high turbines, extend the site and then replace them with ten, 100-metre high turbines.
The proposed new turbines will be taller than Truro Cathedral – which stands at 76m (250ft) at its tallest point at the centre tower and spire.
While recognising the need for more renewable energy, a protest group, Residents Against Turbines in St Newlyn East insist wind power is not the only solution.
At a public meeting, members spoke about the “detrimental impact the massive turbines could have on the local community.”
Among those present was Sara Newton who is a prospective parliamentary candidate for the area. “Like most people I want to deminish our dependence on oil, coal and gas to produce energy as soon as possible.
“For our national security of energy supply and for the sake of the environment, I want to see the expansion of clean and renewable energy. But while power from wind does have an important part to play, it is not the whole solution.”
The pressure to meet Government targets, imposed on Cornwall by the South West Regional Authority, for energy from wind was now placing an unfair burden on local people, said campaigners.
The proposed turbines would not only be bigger than the ones they were replacing and therefore, closer to people’s homes. The visual and noise impact would be much greater on local villagers.
Carrick district council has asked Scottish Power to produce a full and independent Environmental Impact study for the proposed turbines.
In response to RATs’ concerns they have also commissioned independent photography that will help councillors to have a more accurate picture of the potential impact on the environment.
A large red balloon will be raised at the sight of the proposed new turbines so that people can see what visual impact the height of the new turbines will have on central Cornwall.
By Stephen Ivall
16 February 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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