January 12, 2011
England

Council’s concern at size of proposed new wind turbine

www.southwestbusiness.co.uk 12 January 2011

A giant wind turbine proposed on the outskirts of Bodmin has been opposed by two local councils.

The 245ft structure is planned for Callywith Farm, next to the junction with the A30, and lies within Cardinham parish.

Bodmin Town Council, as consultees in the planning process, has also voiced serious concern about the size of turbine, which it believes will loom over the town.

Because of the strong objections by Cardinham Parish council, Cornwall councillor for the area Mick Martin has forced the application to be decided by a Cornwall Council planning committee instead of an officer deciding on the bid under delegated powers. Agricultural firm Dingle Brothers want to construct the turbine to power a waste recycling facility.

If permission is granted, it would be the second turbine erected on their land after the former North Cornwall District Council granted consent for a 100-feet high structure in 2007.

The latest turbine bid first surfaced last May, but it is only now reaching the decision-making process.

Councillor Martin said he had decided to call in the application after the concerns expressed at a parish council meeting in Cardinham.

“This will be a huge turbine and the council felt it would have a detrimental visual impact on the area, particularly regarding the valley which the Glynn Crematorium faces, and for these reasons, I have informed the planning department that a decision on the application should be made at a planning committee meeting.” said Mr Martin.

Bodmin councillors discussed the turbine bid last week.

Town clerk Paul O’Callaghan said: “The council is very supportive of renewable energy schemes, but this will be a very high turbine and the council’s planning committee was very concerned about the impact it would have on the visual environment.”

The company’s Graham Dingle has said the firm presently uses diesel engine pumps to transfer and spread organic and liquid waste and using the turbine would generate enough electricity to power the waste facility and any surplus would be sold to the National Grid.

The planning application should be determined next month.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/12/councils-concern-at-size-of-proposed-new-wind-turbine/