February 5, 2013
England

Cornwall wind turbine approved after parish decision change

BBC News | 5 February 2013 | www.bbc.co.uk

Permission has been granted for a wind turbine in Cornwall after a parish council changed its vote.

Warleggan Parish Council had voted against the proposals for South Bofindle Farm in December.

It changed its decision after being contacted by Cornwall Council planners.

The change came soon after the death of parish councillor Roger Farnworth, who had opposed the scheme. Cornwall councillor Derris Watson said the timing was unfortunate.

‘Very, very sad’

Warleggan’s planning sub-committee voted four-three against the proposals just before Christmas to recommend Cornwall Council refuse the turbine application.

Sub-committee chairman Pat Phillips contacted the remaining members of the committee after she was contacted by a Cornwall Council planning officer, asking if they wanted to change their minds about how they voted.

This was after Mr Farnworth died on 22 January, and the new result of four-two in favour, on 29 January, resulted in Cornwall Council granting conditional planning permission.

Liberal Democrat Ms Watson, vice-chairman of the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the Conservative-Independent unitary authority, said she believed planning protocol and procedures were properly followed.

She said the sub-committee initial recommendation was contrary to a planning officer’s opinion and interpretation of policy, and the officer was entitled to go back to the sub-committee and ask it to reconsider.

She added that the timing of the change, shortly after Mr Farnworth’s death, was regrettable.

She said: “I think protocol has been followed, but I also think it is dreadful that things happened they way they did at the same time.

“I feel sorry for [Mr Farnworth’s] family that they have this added distress at such an unfortunate time.”

Lynne Jones, from the Save Our Cornish Landscape group, of which Mr Farnworth was also a member, said she felt “very, very sad” the parish committee changed its decision.

Ms Phillips has been unavailable for comment.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/02/05/cornwall-wind-turbine-approved-after-parish-decision-change/