Clash over site of St Eval wind turbine 

More than 150 people have objected to a controversial plan to erect a 180ft wind turbine at St Eval recycling centre.

The application for the turbine, with a maximum generating capacity of 0.5MW, will go before Cornwall Council’s Central Sub-Area Planning Committee on Monday.

The plan, which has been recommended for approval, will be debated by committee members.

Case officer Ellis Crompton-Brown said in his report that the proposed turbine would not have a significant effect on landscape character.

But St Eval Parish Council objected to the plan, claiming the proposed turbine’s height and size was “too intrusive” on the landscape – close to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – and was inappropriate in size and its close proximity to St Eval’s grade one listed church.

The proposed development is on land owned by the operator of the adjacent recycling company, north of the St Eval Go Kart track.

The Bedruthan to Pentire Point Area of Great Historic Value (AGHV) is just 1.4km west of the site at its closest point while the Watergate and Lanherne Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) is situated 1.2km south of the site at its closest point.

Bedruthan Steps and Park Head Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is 1.5km west of the site.

Cornwall Council has received 153 objections to the turbine, which according to a planning report, at full capacity could meet the average daily electricity consumption of approximately 316 Cornwall households.

A further 78 letters in support of the application have been received by the unitary authority.

Mr Crompton-Brown has recommended the application be approved, subject to a list of conditions.

“It is accepted that the proposed turbine would be visible from a number of vantage points within the AONB, however, it would be seen against the backdrop of the existing masts at St Eval and the existing turbines at Bears Down further to the south east,” he said in a planning report.

“The turbine would not have a direct impact on the setting of the AONB which is almost wholly to the north side of the site. The result is that it is not considered that this proposed turbine would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the setting of the AONB to a degree that would provide a good reason for refusal.”

However, the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s management team said the proposed development would “harm the natural beauty of the area”.

It said: “The proposed turbine would have a very considerable impact on the outlook from the AONB due to its height and proximity to the AONB. It’s inappropriateness and intrusion would be exacerbated by its proximity to the church, a stunning landmark in this open landscape.”

The online planning report said the turbine’s purpose, which will have a maximum tip height of 61 metres, is to generate renewable energy to be exported back to the National Grid for distribution in the local area.

A community fund of £10,000 would also be donated as a gesture to local causes for the 20-year period that the turbine is operational.