April 28, 2011
England

Anti-windfarm groups unite

www.southwestbusiness.co.uk 27 April 2011www.southwestbusiness.co.uk 27 April 2011

Objectors to the development of a huge windfarm in Cornwall have formed an alliance to better present their case at a planning inquiry scheduled to start in early August.

Groups involved in the Stop Davidstow Windfarm Alliance are the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Stop Turbines in North Cornwall (STINC), the Camel Valley and Bodmin Moor Protection Society, the Group Against Windfarm Proliferation and the Cornwall Windfarm Action Alliance.

The Alliance has been granted Rule 6 status by the Planning Inspectorate, meaning it will appear at the inquiry as an equal participant alongside the developer, Community Windpower, and Cornwall Council to present the case against constructing 20 turbines 126.5m (415ft) high.

If allowed, the turbines will be in close proximity to the Cornish landmarks of Rough Tor and Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor, highly visible from Bodmin Moor and from many views along the AONB North Cornwall Heritage Coastline, including Pentire Point and around Tintagel.

The SDWA says it supports the need to develop sources of renewable energy that will replace conventional power stations, and the requirement contained within government planning policy and guidance to fully quantify the environmental impact of renewable energy developments.

Impacts

It says it believes the adverse environmental impacts of the proposed windfarm outweigh its claimed benefits, and that it is “hugely ironic that as we try to unpick the legacy of the industrial revolution some of the few remaining wild places in the West Country should come under such a threat”.

The SDWA says it will be publicising its case and asking people and organisations locally and nationally to “take a stance against commercial interests in favour of protecting the natural heritage for future generations”.

Its chairman Danny Mageean said: “This is a windfarm in the wrong place.

“SDWA invites all those groups and individuals who share our concerns to support their opposition and write to the Planning Inspectorate, Bristol, BS1 6PN, quoting reference APP/D0840/A/11/2145527/NFW.

“It is unfortunately the case that appearing at a planning inquiry costs money and an immediate task is to gather sufficient funds to ensure the SDWA can present the expert opinion necessary to support our case.

“We are actively looking for volunteers to drive our fundraising campaign and welcome any offers of support.

“To contribute funds to SDWA send cheques to Stop Davidstow Windfarm Alliance or SDWA, care of Sancreed, St Clether, Launceston, PL15 8PU.”

For further discussion of the issues or information about the SDWA, contact Mr Mageean on 07530 508186 or at redland@totalise.co.uk


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/04/28/anti-windfarm-groups-unite/