March 24, 2008
England
England
Concerned residents have slammed plans to almost triple the size of wind turbines at a site near Newquay.
Details of the scheme at Carland Cross, near St Newlyn East, were shown to locals as part of open days last week.The project aims to triple power output by replacing the 15 outdated turbines at the site, which are 42m high, with 10 125m versions.
Residents say the plans would devastate the local landscape, however.
Shirley Byrne, who lives near the turbines at Fiddlers Green, said: “The plans are heart attack-inducing. The turbines will be 125m high yet they’ll be only 600 yards from some homes here and close to a school.
“I’m not against wind farms at all but only if they’re reasonable. This plan has got to the stage of the ridiculous.” Another local, Steve Bazeley, said: “We are appalled at the huge industrial scale of the proposals in our rural village.
“In no way can this project be allowed to proceed, it will affect the lives of decent local residents.”
Many other residents have commented that they are deeply concerned about the sheer increase in scale of the wind farm, which they feel will overpower the local landscape.
Scottish Power, which is behind the plans, has said it has made no firm decisions on the size of the turbines or what it will apply for.
The company says the updated turbines will provide 20 megawatts of power, enough to power 11,000 homes, while reducing carbon emissions.
A spokesman for the firm said the open days last week had helped the firm to get an understanding of local views.
“They have proven to be very productive and it is encouraging to hear such a mix of opinions,” he said.
“Our aim for these days was to ensure the local community was fully aware of any proposals and for us to gauge their thoughts and opinions.
“Now we have a better idea of what people think about the turbines, where they think they should go, and what size they should be. We will now collate the feedback we have received and endeavour to answer any questions in our next information days in the coming months.”
The firm is now working towards doing a noise assessment and an environmental impact assessment for the project. This is expected to take several months.
19 March 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/03/24/slammed-residents-say-proposed-new-wind-turbines-are-too-big/