August 31, 2012
England

Protesters to lobby plans for dairy farmer’s wind turbine

Cornish Guardian | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 31 August 2012

St Neot residents have organised a group to lobby Cornwall Council in opposition to a proposed wind turbine development.

‘Save our Cornish Landscape’ are concerned by St Neot Parish Council’s decision to support plans for a 150ft turbine at Great Tredinnick Farm, only 380 metres from a residential area.

Dr Lynne Jones, whose home is one of the closest to the intended turbine, said: “Given the strength of local opposition, it is outrageous that the local parish council has approved this.

“The role of the local parish council is to express the views of the local residents. The situation is not helped by the fact that there are inadequate planning guidelines for wind turbines in Cornwall.”

The locale in question around Great Tredinnick Farm is classified as an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV), meaning that planning permissions are subject to higher levels of scrutiny.

Matthew Rowe, the son of St Neot parish councillor Joe Rowe, operates the dairy farm at Tredinnick. He said that milking and chilling processes were keeping energy bills high, and they had considered all sustainable options available to reduce costs.

“We looked at smaller sizes of turbine but they still have the same visual impact, and solar energy would take a whole field out of production,” he said.

“There is a lot of debate in the area, but I need to protect the future of my business and make everything sustainable.”

Mr Rowe added that the farm currently employs four people, and that there was increasing pressure on farmers to reduce their carbon footprint.

“I care about the environment and the landscape as much as the protesters. I love this part of Cornwall.”

At the time of going to press, Cornwall Council planning department has received more than 100 letters condemning the proposed turbine.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/08/31/protesters-to-lobby-plans-for-dairy-farmers-wind-turbine/