PROPOSALS for a 50kw wind turbine to be built at a farm in St Ann's Chapel received the thumbs down at a meeting of Calstock Parish Council last week, over fears of its effect on the sensitive landscape.

The application for a turbine, 34.4 metres high to its blade tip, on land at Salters Farmhouse, Whiterocks Park, was a re-submission of a previous application withdrawn in November.

Viewing the planning application at the meeting of the full council, parish clerk Sue Lemon said: 'I can't see that anything has changed from the original application we objected to in November.'

At the time of the meeting, the application had 35 public comments, 34 of which were objections. The number of comments has since risen.

The one comment in support stated that the location would be an 'excellent place' for a turbine due to it being windy and that there are several other structures nearby, including mobile phone masts and mine chimneys. It said that support should be given to more green energy.

Although not actually within it, the turbine would be in close proximity to Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty land and would sit within the Tamar Valley World Heritage Site.

Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (TVAONB) submitted a substantial comment, objecting to the application.

Ben Dancer, on behalf of the TVAONB, wrote: 'Despite assertions within the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment and the design and access statement, there is little prospect of the turbine "nestling" within the landscape. The turbine will introduce movement into what is essentially a static landscape, and introduce a strong focal point detracting from views out toward the TVAONB and Dartmoor as well as detracting from the wider setting of the listed engine house at Hingston Down and the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site.

'It is felt that a less intrusive form of energy generation would be preferable in this instance. In addition, it is felt that the on-farm and community benefits of the proposed turbine are, in this instance, outweighed by the negative visual impacts upon the international and national designated landscapes consisting of the WHS and the TVAONB. It is the conclusion of the TVAONB that the application should be refused.'

At the meeting, Cllr Ian Beech said he thought the turbine would 'stick out like a sore thumb'.

He said: 'The problem is that it will be moving and your eyes will be drawn to it. If it was stationary you would probably ignore it — that's why it would stand out in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape says no turbines should be erected in this area.'

Cllr Roger Alford said: 'Personally, the one at Pensilva I noticed at first, but I don't even see it now. I went to see the 18 houses in Old Mine Lane and out of them, nine were against and eight weren't fussed.'

Cllr Mike Greenwood said: 'I think if we opposed it last time, we should be consistent, considering there are a large number of objections and such a large response from the Tamar Valley AONB.'

A vote concluded that the council would object to the application, on grounds that it was against the National Planning Policy Framework regarding conservation of landscape and scenic beauty in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It was also within the World Heritage Site, in which turbine developments should not be permitted.

In an official comment on the application, the council wrote: 'Although this is a small scale development, it will be seen all over the area and the parish council strongly objects.'

The final decision on the application will be made by Cornwall Council.