Giant turbines ‘will invade human rights’ inquiry told
The final day of a public inquiry that will decide the fate of plans to “re-power” Carland Cross wind farm will be heard today.
A site visit to the wind farm, off the A30 near St Newlyn East, marks the end of a six-day public inquiry, held at Hendra Holiday Park, in Newquay.
Scottish Power’s application to reduce the number of turbines at the site, between Newquay and Truro, from 15 to 10 but increase the height of them from 42m to 100m was turned down by Carrick District Council in March. The council’s planners refused it on the grounds of unacceptable visual impact and overbearing impact on the residents of Fiddlers Green.
Edward Hornagold, a resident from this area, spoke out against the application at the public inquiry on Thursday. He said: “The turbines are too close to the ground, too close together, and too close to residential houses in the Fiddlers Green area.
“Residents in this area feel the turbines, being so large and so close to their houses, will be an invasion of their human rights if allowed to be built.”
The plans involve a further five 100m turbines being located on additional land at Newlyn Downs, which would be connected to the Carland Cross site by a narrow strip of land.
Alan Percy, chairman of Cubert Parish Council and the North Coast Cluster group, which contains the parishes of St Newlyn East, Cubert, Crantock, St Agnes, and Perranporth, also spoke in opposition of the turbines.
He said: “The people in the cluster group, who represent more than 10,000 parishioners, all oppose these plans.
However Cornwall councillor, Bob Egerton, spoke in favour of the plans.
He said: “When I was trying to get elected I canvassed local people about what I wanted to stand for in Cornwall Council. And that is green thinking.
“A fairly resounding 64% of people said they were in favour of wind farms and I don’t think this should be ignored.
“Climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels is something we all should worry about and these plans would help ease the worry.
“The turbines could be up and running within no time at all and this proposal is acceptable. I hope it gets the go-ahead.”
Planning inspector David Lavender is conducting a site visit today (Wednesday).
A spokesman from Cornwall Council, said: “A decision on the appeal will be made by February 2010 by the planning inspector.”
The Herald
18 November 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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- No more turbines! We've got enough in Cornwall
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