Cornwall

Planning Application to build another Wind Farm near Davidstow in North Cornwall

A planning application has been lodged with North Cornwall District Council for a 20-turbine wind farm at Davidstow near the old airfield and Crowdy Reservoir.  With the height of each turbine measuring 126 metres, the proposed wind farm would be clearly visible from much of Bodmin Moor, and particularly from Roughtor and Brown Willy.  The site is situated between two existing wind farms; Cold Northcott (with 22 turbines) and Delabole (with 10 turbines).  To make matters worse two more wind farms are proposed close to Davidstow: at Otterham close to the A39 (5 turbines) and at Tich Barrow (4 turbines) - the latter being merely two miles from the Davidstow site.  If all the proposed wind farms were approved, there would be 61 turbines in this part of Cornwall.  It also has to be noted that around Davidstow much of the countryside is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  Furthermore, the site of the proposed Davidstow Wind Farm is partly within an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).  Another negative feature is that the height of the turbines would be clearly visible from the Heritage Coast of North Cornwall.  Details of all the various applications for wind farms can be found on the Internet.  The planning reference issued by North Cornwall District Council is 2008/01432.

Residents in the area around Davidstow are appalled at the proliferation of wind farms in their locality, and two organisations have been set up to fight the plans for further wind farms; Stop Turbines in North Cornwall (STINC) and Group Against Windfarm Proliferation (GAWP).  Apart from the fact that further wind turbines are not wanted, the groups organising resistance (STINC and GAWP) are concerned over misleading statements and montages provided by the applicant, as these tend to minimise the impact of the 20 turbines proposed for Davidstow.  Representatives from CPRE Cornwall attended a meeting of STINC on September 1^st at the invitation of that organisation.  It was clear that opposition to the proposals for more wind farms in North Cornwall is well organised with both pro-active and re-active measures being taken by STINC.  As North Cornwall District Council has set a deadline of September 25^th for objections about the proposed scheme to be received, the most urgent matter is for organisations and individuals against the proposed wind farm to make their views known.  With this in mind, STINC urged those against more wind farms in North Cornwall to write to North Cornwall District Council and their MPs now to express their views and set out their objections.

Further details about STINC and the proposed wind farms at Davidstow and Otterham can be found on the following websites:

http://www.stinc.co.uk/

www.stinc.co.uk/davidstow.shtml

www.stinc.co.uk/otterham.htm

Letters of objection should be sent to North Cornwall District Council Planning Department at 3 - 5 Barn Lane, Bodmin PL31 1LZ.  Alternatively, objections can be e-mailed using This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

So, PLEASE ACT NOW! 

Remember that renewable energy in the form of wind turbines is not that effective and is costly, with the taxpayer funding a proportion of each turbine.  Remember, too, that these schemes are being pushed through during a period of local government reform in Cornwall, and that the names given to both existing and proposed wind farms are purposely vague and misleading in order to confuse.  The Government's determination to build more and more wind turbines, both on-shore and off-shore, is due to internationally agreed targets to reduce carbon emissions and is without any other consideration.

We do need to consider the UK's energy needs for the future.  There should be sufficient and reliable sources of energy and these should be secure from interference by other countries.  Renewable energy is an ideal solution, but not at the expense of our countryside and the health of its residents.  Perhaps more attention should be given to hydro-electricity and solar power.

Ted Venn

5^th September 2008

The Government is determined to ruin the environment with Wind Farms

Recent reports have revealed the Government's determination to force through unwanted objectives for renewable energy that will change the face of the British countryside for ever.  This is despite the ever increasing financial cost of wind turbines and with a complete disregard for the inefficiency of wind energy.

Planning laws are being changed to make it easier for wind turbines and wind farms to be given the go-ahead.  Clause S151 of the Planning Bill just before Parliament seeks to exclude any redress against noise or physical damage caused by any development, works or operations that have been authorised by an order granting planning consent.

A report in The Daily Telegraph on July 26^th revealed that Council Tax bandings had been reduced due to the close proximity of wind turbines - effectively reducing the value of the properties concerned.

With the Government determined to construct 4000 wind turbines off-shore by 2020 and site another 3000 around Britain during the same period, it seems as if political considerations have outweighed any consideration of cost-effectiveness or the possible effects on the UK's rural environment.  These damaging effects include loss of land for food production, loss of recreational land and the loss of a rural environment that is beneficial to the health of the nation.  Furthermore, the attractiveness of the land will deteriorate to such an extent that the tourist industry could be fatally harmed - and not just by wind turbines, but by transmission lines and electricity substations, too!

The Government backs its pledge to increase the supply of renewable energy by providing taxpayers' money to encourage the construction of wind turbines and wind farms, and insisting that the National Grid purchases most of the electricity produced.  Despite the many wind turbines or wind farms envisaged, it will still be necessary to provide an alternative source of power generation, as the wind is not a constant factor.  Even Denmark, Europe's most intensive user of wind power, still has to provide 81% of its electricity from other sources such as coal.  It also has to be noted that even with over 6000 wind turbines electricity in Denmark costs more than elsewhere in Europe, which suggests that wind energy is not at all satisfactory, as it is expensive and inefficient.

In Cornwall, there are currently seven major wind farms in existence.  These are at:

                  Delabole (NW of Camelford) - 10 turbines from 1991

                  Carland Cross (NE of Truro) - 15 turbines from 1992

                  Cold Northcott (W of Launceston) - 21 turbines from 1993

                  Goonhilly Downs (SE of Helston) - 14 turbines from 1993

                  St Breock (SW of Wadebridge) - 11 turbines from 1994

                  Four Burrows (NW of Truro) - 15 turbines from 1995

Nine more wind farms are proposed for Cornwall in the next few years.  These will be at:

                  Trerulefoot WW1 (SE Cornwall) - 2 turbines

                  Trerulefoot WW2 - (SE Cornwall) - 3 turbines

                  Penpell (Lanlivery) - 2 turbines

                  Otterham A (Camelford) - 5 turbines

                  Otterham (Boscastle) - 5 turbines

                  Penpell Farm WWR (St Blazey) - 2 turbines

                  Crimp (Kilkhampton) - 3 turbines

                  Davidstow Community Windfarm (Bodmin Moor) - 20 turbines

                  Goonhilly Repowering (SE of Helston) - 6 turbines

Source of existing and proposed wind farms in Cornwall: http://www.yes2wind.com/

In addition to those listed above, two wind turbines were recently erected north west of Falmouth at Roskrow, as well as four on the waterfront at Jubilee Wharf in Penryn.      

We must remain alert to constant attempts by the Government to impose unwanted wind turbines on the country, and particularly those planned for Cornwall.   Even though isolated turbines are leading the way and giving encouragement to larger wind farms, all need not be lost as these plans can be successfully challenged.  Remember that the 189 wind turbines proposed by the Government for the northern part of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, was rejected by the Scottish Parliament.

Ted Venn

1^st August 2008