November 10, 2013
England

Residents voice concerns over proposed turbines at Lamorna

This is Cornwall | November 09, 2013 | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk

Residents of a historic area of west Penwith have voiced concerns after a planning application for two wind turbines was lodged last month.

Farmer Simon Whear, who lives in St Erth, submitted a request to erect the 112ft generators close to Lamorna and St Buryan.

According to resident Gerald Hayman, St Buryan Parish Council initially supported the application, which is currently pending a decision from the unitary authority. He explained some locals feel they have been underrepresented.

Mr Hayman added there had been no public consultations and feels the turbines would devalue the location.

“I don’t think we are being unreasonable, Lamorna is a very special place – it’s got lots of heritage,” he said.

“We are trying very hard to be objective – we know renewable energy is a concern for our planet. But to have turbines here just seems absolutely wrong.”

MP Andrew George said a number of residents had contacted him.

He said: “It’s of particular concern that it seems the council has not drawn this to the attention of the many people who may be directly affected, nor enabled timely public consultation.”

Mr Hayman also mentioned the area is adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is itself an Area of Great Landscape Value, while adding he believes the turbines would be higher than St Buryan Church’s tower.

But land owner Mr Whear said the turbines would be in a valley and would have less of an impact than predicted.

He also said he is a strong believer in green energy and at one stage applied for planning permission to build a house in Lamorna – noting he would be prepared to live near a turbine himself.

“Everyone thinks we’re putting them on top of the hill – but they wouldn’t be there,” he said.

“I don’t think you can see them from St Buryan – I’m not certain but they would be at the bottom of the hill.”

Mr Whear said he has the environment in mind and had also looked into installing turbines at Godrevy Farm, which he rents from the National Trust, but found it was not possible.

“I would rather see turbines than nuclear power,” he said.

“We all want to carry on our lifestyles and we need energy – we need something that is clean and renewable.”

He also said the development could give him an annual income of up to £150,000.

Phil Markham, of Cornwall Council’s historic environment service, has visited the site and said the team has “no recommendations or comments to make”.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/10/residents-voice-concerns-over-proposed-turbines-at-lamorna/