May 9, 2012
England

Wind turbine bid is refused

Cornish Guardian, www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 9 May 2012

The contentious spread of wind turbines through the county has been halted in Nanstallon, with Cornwall Council rejecting a farmer’s bid to build an 80-foot-high structure near the Camel Trail.

Campaigners who opposed the planning application said they were thrilled by the decision to refuse consent, but admit their battle to block the wind turbine has split the local community.

The turbine bid has pitted neighbour against neighbour in the village, with a number of residents keen to support the application for Lower Boscarne Farm.

Cornwall planning councillors, meeting in Liskeard, turned down the turbine application on an eight to three vote, worried the structure would harm an Area of Great Landscape Value.

They had visited the area earlier to see for themselves how the turbine would affect the area.

The council received a petition signed by more than 100 residents opposing it, and they were supported by Cornwall councillor for the area, Mick Martin.

Leading campaigner Tracey Osborne told the planning committee that the turbine would not only harm the area, but if it was allowed, it could pave the way for another six which had already been the subject of preliminary screening surveys.

Mrs Osborne said she was delighted councillors had refused planning consent for the turbine, and the campaign group were fully prepared to oppose other turbine bids in and around Nanstallon.

“We are naturally thrilled with the planning committee’s decision to reject the application for a wind turbine at Lower Boscarne.

“The landscape surrounding Nanstallon is designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value for good reason, and we are delighted that this has been recognised and Cornwall Council are supporting us in protecting it for future generations,” said Mrs Osborne.

But she admitted the campaign had come at a cost.

“It does worry me that the level of feeling is so high and is still building within the local communities, it’s divisive and is particularly unpleasant when you have neighbours who have known each other and been friends for many years on opposite sides of the fence.

“I think action does need to be taken in supporting some form of renewable energy, but there are more efficient and less controversial methods out there that need exploring more thoroughly,” she said.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/09/wind-turbine-bid-is-refused/