September 7, 2012
England

Villagers fearful at second turbine bid

Cornish Guardian | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk 7 September 2012

Concerned St Neot parishioners have been faced with a second wind turbine application, this time only 200 metres from the nearest residential property.

The proposal – the second in three months – is for a 35-metre turbine at Luna Farm, only two fields from the previous site, at Great Tredinnick Farm in an Area of Great Landscape Value.

Campaign group Save Our Cornish Landscape says the World Health Organisation recommends turbines should be a minimum of 2km from homes.

However, local authorities are at liberty to impose their own rules.

Trerulefoot GP Amanda Harry said: “If turbines are too close to houses, some people suffer symptoms such as nausea, migraines, sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression.”

Faye Wardle, a St Neot parish councillor but speaking in a personal capacity, criticised Cornwall Council for failing to take decisive action regarding turbines’ proximity to homes.

“Cornwall Council is lagging behind,” she said. “Lincolnshire County Council has recently announced that it will demand 2km between wind turbines and homes.

“England is already out of line with many countries in Europe.”

A parliamentary Bill seeking to set a minimum distance is awaiting its second reading, and could take up to a year to be finalised.

She expressed concern that the Great Tredinnick Farm application, under consideration by Cornwall Council, could set a precedent for the proposal for Luna Farm.

“Precedent does carry a certain amount of weight,” she said.

“It becomes a part of future consultations.”

Ian Watson lives in nearby Mount, where planning consent is being sought for a 45m turbine at Bofindle Farm – 400m from his home, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The vast majority of residents oppose turbines too close to homes,” he said.

“We’re all agreed that green energy is a good thing but when it comes to wind turbines, this needs to be balanced with the impact on our landscape and the likely impact on the quality of life and health of residents.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/09/07/villagers-fearful-at-second-turbine-bid/