January 14, 2014
England

Council insists Roche residents were consulted on turbine

Cornish Guardian | January 14, 2014 | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk

Residents in Roche have hit out at Cornwall Council after a 500kW wind turbine “sprung-up” on the edge of the village.

Some villagers, who can see the turbine from the front of their homes, said they were not consulted about plans to install the 77m-high machine at Trebilcock Farm.

Former civil servant Ross Bradshaw, who lives in Shires Way, said he and his neighbours heard nothing about the proposals until they saw the turbine last month.

Describing the machine as an “eyesore”, he said he was disappointed at the lack of public consultation.

“Apparently they had a consultation meeting but only three people turned up,” the 67-year-old said. “The main bugbear is why weren’t we told about it? How can someone just bang up this thing?”

Mr Bradshaw said he contacted Stephen Gilbert, St Austell and Newquay MP, who told the pensioner he would write to the head of planning at Cornwall Council to see if the correct consultation procedures were adhered to. In a statement Cornwall Council said all planning applications were subject to an “established process of public and internal consultation”.

It read: “The statutory consultation period for a planning application lasts for 21 calendar days after the application has been publicised.

“To ensure that neighbours and any interested parties are notified on planning applications and are given the opportunity to make valid planning representations the council uses a range of methods, including press advertising, site notices and formal notifications sent to relevant consultees (including statutory consultees such as the Environment Agency, Highways Agency and town and parish councils).”

The council said residents living within the “immediate area” of the wind turbine were consulted about the plans. “Letters are also sent to immediate neighbours, both residential and businesses,” the statement continued.

“The council’s planning service draws up a list of addresses of properties within the immediate area of the application, with the letters then sent to the owner/occupier at the specific address. In the case of this application, in excess of 280 letters were sent out to neighbouring properties.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/01/14/council-insists-roche-residents-were-consulted-on-turbine/