Opposition as wind turbine plan unveiled 

Proposals to build two wind turbines in south east Cornwall have angered residents.

The turbines, which would measure 68 metres high are proposed to be positioned in two fields – one near the WH Bond sawmill by Bake Farm in Trerulefoot and the other at Wilton Farm.

Contractors Murex Energy and land owners WH Bond held a community meeting last week to inform locals of their plans.

John Bond, director at WH Bond, said: “We are following government and county policy which encourages land owners to produce renewable energy.

“Our family has farmed in this area for over 100 years and has created 500 jobs in south east Cornwall. We are here for the long term and need to make our business viable because we need an economy. ”

But residents in the surrounding area have said placing the turbines there would be ‘just not in keeping’ with the surroundings.

WH Bond has been trying to build wind turbines for the past 10 years. And locals claimed previous planning applications were refused due to ‘the impact on the local community’.

Bake Manor resident Doug Clarke, who attended the community meeting, said: “[The contractors] explained they had now been given approval by Bond to use the area adjacent to the lakes. And they are going to put two wind turbines up of 68 metres.

“When asked, John Bond said he was doing it for the benefit of the local community, however in 2003 when the Bonds initially pu because of the impact to the local community and environment. It seems strange and financially-led that they are doing it again.”

Murex is currently said to be at the stage now where a planning application could be submitted in the autumn.

A number of preliminary tests regarding the noise level and impacts to the ecology are expected to be carried out in the coming weeks.

Mr Bond added: “Most people seem to be for renewable energy – but not in their area. We think we have a social responsibility to provide renewable energy. Also much of the energy will be used in our own business and will help protect some of the jobs we have and enable us to employ more people.

“We don’t set out with the intention of upsetting our neighbours but the location will be within the guidelines of planning policy.”

Nick Leaney, speaking on behalf of Murex, said the plans were still at a ‘very early stage’. He added: “We’ve been undertaking some initial feasibility assessments for the site for a small to medium turbine.

“We provided a community exhibition at the request of the council with plans to show the site considerations and the type of turbine and to answer questions as and when they arose. We are still at the very early stages of the survey so we couldn’t be as specific as we would like.”

Mr Clarke added that he was unhappy with the proposals stating his house was no more than 175 metres from the Bake farm site. He said: “The community are up in arms about it – it would be a blight on the whole area. You just take one look and see this is just not in keeping. There are all the other issues about flickering, noise and health issues that haven’t been completely resolved.”