July 18, 2014
England

Tywardreath turbine plans spark furious reaction from residents

Cornish Guardian | July 18, 2014 | www.cornishguardian.co.uk

Plans to build a giant wind turbine on farmland in Tywardreath have sparked a furious response from local residents, and condemnation from parish councillors.

The application to build the 77m structure at Polharmon Farm was submitted to Cornwall Council at the end of May, and has received more than 170 online objections since.

Farmer owner David Sanders plans to site the turbine, operated by renewable energy company Clean Earth Energy Ltd, on land between his property and neighbouring Colwith Farm, but Steve Dustow, whose family owns Colwith Farm, said the turbine could have a detrimental effect on the family’s holiday home business.

“The biggest impact is potentially on my mum and dad,” he said. “They’ve been running a small holiday business which has three mobile homes. We’re pro-green energy, but people come to stay in this tranquil, undisturbed area of the Cornish countryside and this beastly thing would be slap-bang in their field of view.”

Steve Double, Conservative parliamentary candidate for St Austell and Newquay, was one of those to object on Cornwall Council’s website.

He told the Cornish Guardian there were “more than enough” turbines in the county already: “We’re in danger of spoiling the unique character that makes Cornwall what it is and a wonderful place for tourists to visit.

“This one is in a place that’s free from turbines at the moment, and constructing it would fundamentally change the landscape in a negative way.”

Mr Double said he hoped Cornwall Council would take residents’ objections into account. “You would hope that their views would be respected, but if not there are certain avenues we can look at, such as writing to the Home Secretary,” he said.

Tywardreath Parish Council has voted unanimously to object.

Roy Taylor, the Cornwall councillor for St Blazey who also sits on the parish council, said the real issue was the location of the turbine, rather than the turbine itself.

“It would be visible from numerous footpaths, and in my opinion would be completely alien in these surroundings,” he said.

“I’ve supported and opposed wind turbines before, but this is just in the wrong place.”

He added: “I’ve asked for the decision to go to committee rather than be dealt with by a council planning officer.

“I’ve also asked for the planning committee members at Cornwall Council to have a site meeting so they can fully understand what the objections are.”

The Cornish Guardian approached Mr David Sanders for a comment, but had not received a response at the time of going to press.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/18/tywardreath-turbine-plans-spark-furious-reaction-from-residents/