September 22, 2011
England

Decision day for three controversial turbine plans

Western Morning News, www.thisisdevon.co.uk 22 September 2011

Contentious and long-running plans to build a wind farm with turbines up to 120m high in Cornwall are being recommended for approval by council planners today.

Of three separate applications for wind turbines, the most controversial is by London-based company Coronation Power for five turbines at St Erme, near Truro.

Objectors have been fighting plans at Truthan Barton Farm since 2008 and a slightly larger application was thrown out by a planning inspector earlier this year in a decision unsuccessfully challenged by the developer in the High Court in July.

But the scaled-down wind farm, which could provide enough energy to power 5,600 homes, will go before the strategic planning committee at Cornwall Council this morning, along with proposals for two 100m turbines at a manor house near Grampound in Mid Cornwall and a further five at St Mawgan, near Newquay. Despite reducing the St Erme wind farm from seven to five turbines, action group 2Big2Close fears the proposals will still dominate the village. It has raised a list of 30 objections and a petition from 660 residents.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also objected to a proliferation of turbines to the north of Truro, the impact on the open countryside and its proximity to Carland Cross, where Scottish Power has plans to double the capacity of the existing turbines there. The plans by REG Windpower for turbines at Higher Denzell Farm at St Mawgan, next to an existing wind farm at Bears Downs, would provide energy for just under 5,000 homes. It is also recommended for approval.

Alan Nunn, chairman of the action group Realistic Energy Forum South West, said: “I have fought plans like these for 20 years and every time it’s like banging your head against a wall.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/22/decision-day-for-three-controversial-turbine-plans/