Appeal begins against wind turbines refusal
A power company has begun its appeal against a council’s refusal of permission for 10 huge wind turbines at Carland Cross, between Newquay and Truro.
A hearing scheduled for six days is taking place at Hendra Tourist Park, Newquay, because the original venue, Truro City Hall was thought to be not large enough to take the number of people who wanted to take part or listen.
Scottish Power’s application was turned down, by 8 votes to 7, by Carrick District Council in March, and the case is being defended by the new Cornwall Council.
Carrick planners refused it on the grounds of unacceptable visual impact and an overbearing impact on the residents of Fiddlers Green.
The council is being supported by more than 60 local residents in the St Newlyn East area who are members of the organisation Residents Against Turbines.
The company, SPR, wants to replace the existing 15 42-metre high turbines at Carland Cross with 10 which are 100 metres, or 330 feet, high to the top of the blade.
The company says the new turbines will generate enough power for 11,000 homes.
However, local campaigners object to potential noise disruption and the extension on to a second site.
John Houghton, for SPR, said five of the turbines would be sited immediately to the west of land currently used to accommodate the present turbines at Carland Cross.
A further five would be situated on additional land at Newlyn Downs, connected by a narrow strip of land.
Mr Houghton said local planning policies encouraged schemes for electricity generation from renewable resources and discouraged the unreasonable proliferation of turbines in the landscape.
The present proposal to repower the existing windfarm and expand its footprint fell four square within the county policy objective of increasing the generating capacity of existing sites.
He said there were no effects which would render the proposal unacceptable in landscape terms.
Graeme Keen, for Cornwall Council, said the scheme would have significant adverse impact in three main areas.
The new turbines would be approximately twice the height of existing ones, which would increase their prominence and fail to protect the diversity and distinctiveness of the landscape.
The extension of the turbines would also have significant adverse impact on the residential amenity of Fiddlers Green and St Newlyn East, and also local public rights of way.
Mr Keen said there would be unacceptable increases in ambient noise at night.
Steve Bazeley, chairman, David Green and Ed Horwagold will all be giving evidence on behalf of RATS. The inquiry, which will not sit on Monday, is set to last six days, with a site visit by the planning inspector on Wednesday.
West Briton
10 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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- Turbine giants approved for Carland Cross
- Group to oppose plans for new wind turbines
- 'Affront to local democracy' charge over Carland Cross wind-farm proposals; Former councillor 'appalled' at wind farm bid handling
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