October 6, 2014
England

Tregony turbine ‘could lead to others being approved’

The West Briton | October 06, 2014 | www.westbriton.co.uk

Plans for a wind turbine on farmland near Tregony have sparked fears it could pave the way for two more within a mile of each other.

Cornwall Council this week gave planning permission for a 79-metre turbine on Pitts Down Farm, which borders part of the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Earlier this year it rejected plans for a similar turbine at Tregonan Farm, whose developer has lodged an appeal.

In addition, public consultation has been opened on a third turbine proposal at the Cornwall Council-owned Barwick Farm, less than a mile from Pitts Down Farm.

Cuby Parish Council chairman David Attwater said: “This does open up the possibility for additional ones.

“This wind turbine is almost identical to the one that was rejected at Tregonan Farm, about one mile south, and closer to the AONB.

“Clearly at the planning committee there were sufficient members, it would appear, who thought the visual impact of this turbine is of a lesser degree than the Tregonan one.

“Cuby parish is disappointed … and concerned that this may have a bearing on the outcome on the appeal for the Tregonan Farm decision.

“We face the prospect of having three very large wind turbines within a mile of each other,” he said.

Local resident Des Mennear, chairman of Tregony Parish Council, said: “Localism is dead in Cuby. People should have a say.

“I’m speaking as an ordinary citizen of Cornwall. All these wind turbines are spoiling our lovely countryside.”

Cuby Parish Council voted to oppose the granting of permission for the turbine at Pitts Down earlier this year, but on Monday members of Cornwall Council’s central sub-area planning committee voted 7 to 5 in favour of giving planning consent for the scheme.

The proposal includes the erection of the turbine and associated infrastructure including a transformer, a substation, a hardstanding for a crane and a temporary construction area.

The plans also included an upgrade and extension of the farm access and track, and widening the existing entrance to the site.

On Cornwall Council’s planning website, Phil Michell had written: “This application is far too high at 79m – Truro Cathedral is 76m, in comparison.

“As a holiday accommodation owner, people come to this area for its natural beauty, not for it to be blighted with wind turbines everywhere.”

But Samuel Care wrote: “Wind turbines such as this should be supported as they are an important step towards securing our future energy supplies and helping us to avoid dangerous climate change.

“This turbine appears to be positioned away from possible sensitivities such as landscape areas, towns and villages and is therefore in a suitable location.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/06/tregony-turbine-could-lead-to-others-being-approved/