Bats not an issue at Cornish wind farm
An inspector has allowed a wind farm in Cornwall after finding that the environmental, economic and social impacts of the project can be dealt with satisfactorily.
The proposal comprised three turbines, a substation, access tracks and ancillary development. The turbines would be 50m to hub height with blades 31m long. Permission was sought for a period of 25 years. The inspector noted that in 2005, only three per cent of the region’s electricity demand was met from renewable sources. He took the view that failure to achieve a trajectory likely to meet regional targets added significant weight in favour of the scheme.
He observed that the site was in an exposed and windswept agricultural landscape with limited tree cover and a medium-scale field pattern. However, he was satisfied that the most immediate landscape and visual impact would be confined to a relatively small area within about 500m of the site. Beyond that, he held that the plateau location of both the site and potential vantage points would ensure that the development would be just one component of an extensive landscape.
The inspector agreed that there was some risk to bats from potential collisions, but held that the development was unlikely to pass a significant threat to local populations. He was satisfied that the overriding public interest lay in favour of the scheme. He also found that it would comply with relevant advice in PPS22 in respect of noise disturbance to neighbours.
Planning, Issue 1766