September 29, 2011
England

Wind farm developer backs down, only to resubmit plans

Western Morning News, www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 29 September 2011

Campaigners have vowed to continue their fight after a company which planned to build a wind farm at a Cornish beauty spot withdrew from the battle – only to embark on a fresh bid.

Community Windpower Ltd was last year blocked from creating a £55 million development at Davidstow in North Cornwall in the wake of furious protests.

This week the company announced it would step back from an appeal against the decision in a move which delighted campaigners, who claimed the wind farm would blight the landscape.

However, jubilation has turned to dismay as it emerged yesterday that the Cheshire-based firm would instead be submitting a new application.

Campaigner Peter Maxted said they were determined to fight on.

“If it is in the same location then we will have the same problem because it will still be in the wrong place. This development is right on the edge of one of the most iconic landscapes in Cornwall.

“It is a place much loved by locals and much visited by tourists.

“We are not against wind power, but it has to be in the right place and this is not the right place.

“The question we will be asking is does the new development protect and enhance and area of outstanding natural beauty. If the answer is yes, then we don’t have a problem.

“If the answer is no, then we must protest.”

The scheme for the 20 turbines on a 2.5sq km site is close to the Bodmin Moor Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the North Cornwall Coast AONB and Heritage Coast. It is also close to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Cornwall Council refused the application after two conditions for allowing it, relating to concerns that the turbines would interfere with air traffic control systems and also threaten the local population of the golden plover in the adjoining SSSI, were not met by a set deadline.

In a letter seen by the Western Morning News and sent to the planning inspectorate, which was to have decided on the appeal, the company withdrew from the process “with regret”. It said the decision was taken because a member of its team was not available, therefore important work could not be completed in time for the deadline to submit evidence and it was too late to postpone the inquiry.

But it said the company would be re-submitting a planning application for Davidstow Wind Farm “very soon”. It has refused to comment on the scale of the new plans.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/29/wind-farm-developer-backs-down-only-to-resubmit-plans/