August 14, 2013
England

Turbine – village claims victory

Cornish Guardian | August 14, 2013 | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk

People power in St Eval has succeeded in blocking a giant wind turbine going up near a recycling centre.

Residents have campaigned against the 61-metre structure and, on Monday, were successful in persuading Cornwall Council’s east sub-area planning committee to refuse consent for the application by Clean Earth Energy on land owned by St Eval Recycling Centre by nine votes to three.

St Eval Parish Council opposed the turbine due to its proximity to the grade one listed parish church. The height of the turbine would have been three times that of the spire.

The council and many residents were also concerned the proposed site of the turbine lay less than 300 metres from an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, from Trevose Head to Stepper Point.

Locals formed the St Eval Concerned Residents’ Group to oppose the turbine, and they were supported by the National Trust, which said the overpowering structure would dwarf the listed church.

Cornwall Council received 156 letters of objection to the planning application and 171 from people in favour of it.

Planning officers had recommended to councillors that the turbine should be given permission.

Parish council vice-chairman Paula Cawley told the planning committee that the turbine would be totally inappropriate for the area.

She said councillors also took note that the vast majority of letters in favour of the turbine were from people living outside the county, and there were even some from abroad.

“Everyone in St Eval is delighted that the turbine has been refused planning permission,” she said.

“It would have been far too high for the area. It would have swamped the church and would have been visible from miles around.

“Out of the letters supporting the application, only about half a dozen were actually from local people, the others were from people living all over the country, and there was even one from Belgium.

“I was also glad to see that the planning committee said that it would take note of a directive from (Environment Secretary) Eric Pickles to listen to local people when it came to planning decisions.

“The people of St Eval will be delighted that the turbine has now been turned down,” said the parish councillor.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/08/14/turbine-village-claims-victory/