February 16, 2011
England

Anger as appeal launched over giant turbines

www.southwestbusiness.co.uk 16 February 2011

People living in the Davidstow area are angry that a company, refused permission for 20 giant wind turbines last July, has launched an appeal against the decision.

Members of Cornwall’s strategic planning committee voted 12 to 3, with one abstention, at County Hall on July 22 last year against plans by Community Windfarm Ltd to erect 20 turbines at Davidstow Wood, next to the old Second World War airfield.

This week the company, based in Cheshire, revealed they had launched an appeal against that decision.

However, the form of the appeal and when it will be heard is not yet known. The blades of the turbines would have been 126 metres, more than 400 feet high, which at their peak would have dwarfed Cornwall’s highest tor, Brown Willy, and the nearby impressive Rough Tor.

Approval

Community Windpower Ltd had emphasised the benefits its scheme would have brought to the area, including providing the energy for 28,000 homes.

It said more than £55 million would initially be invested if the scheme was given approval, and there would be an investment of £1.5 million each year.

Community benefits of at least £150,000 a year would be available for the communities of the Davidstow and Camelford area, as well as seven permanent jobs.

The organisation against the proposed wind farm, Stop Turbines in North Cornwall (STINC) issued a statement on Monday criticising the company for going against the wishes of local communities, a multitude of opposing organisations, consultative bodies and individuals, and many councils.

“This application was strongly rejected by the majority of residents, plus many from much farther afield who enjoy and greatly value the uplifting spacious and special landscape of Bodmin moor and Cornwall’s unique and iconic twin peaks of Roughtor and Brown Willy,” said STINC treasurer Karen Briggs.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/02/16/anger-as-appeal-launched-over-giant-turbines/