April 16, 2012
England

Anger after council’s turbine fears ‘ignored’

The Packet, www.falmouthpacket.co.uk 15 April 2012

The chairman of Stithians Parish Council has reacted angrily after a planning appeal allowed the building of a 185 feet (56.5 m) high wind turbine just off the A394 at Longdowns.

The parish council had unanimously rejected the application at Polkanuggo Farm because of worries about noise affecting nearby residents.

Councillor Pete Tisdale, chairman of the authority, said: “There is mounting evidence worldwide of the effects of low frequency noise on health, including ‘vibro-acoustic disease’ which has forced large numbers of people out of their homes.

“The swish-swish of the turbine blades is one cause of sleep disturbance as at night there is very little background noise to disguise it and the constant, rhythmic noise prohibits sleep.

“Much more is now known internationally about the noise effects from wind farms and their repercussions for human health, but this was ignored by both the inspector and Cornwall Council.”

He added that the parish council was also concerned over Cornwall Council’s commitment to monitoring the turbine once it has been erected.

He said: “Cornwall Council have told us that planning authorities are not obliged to monitor noise levels.

“They say individual residents will have to complain when noise becomes a nuisance, and only then will they investigate these complaints.

“How well, and for how long, this monitoring will be carried out for and the manner in which they will be resolved is a matter for speculation.’ Anyone wanting to contact the parish council regarding the turbine should do so by calling the chairman on 01209 860851 or via email at pete_the_trainman@yahoo.co.uk.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/04/16/anger-after-councils-turbine-fears-ignored/