A PLAN for a 50kw wind turbine to be erected in an East Cornwall village was turned down by parish councillors last week.

The application for the wind turbine on land at Salters Farm, Whiterocks Park, St Ann's Chapel was refused by a majority vote at a meeting of Calstock Parish Council.

The application was put forward by the owner of the farm and during consultation received 71 comments from the public, the majority of which were objections. The application had been submitted a number of times previously, but had been withdrawn before a decision was made.

A spokesperson for the parish council said: 'The parish council continues to strongly object to this application as it has done previously for the same reasons.

'It is against the National Planning Policy Framework, which states that "great weight should be given to conserving landscape and scenic beauty in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty".

'In the Assessment of the Sensitivity of the Landscape to Onshore Wind Energy and Large Scale Solar Photovoltaic Development in Cornwall it also states that if the area is in a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) or a Mining Landscape World Heritage Site that due to the importance of these designations no wind turbines will be developed.

'Although this is a small scale development it will be seen all over the area and the parish council strongly objects. While this is not directly in the AONB, it is very close to it and will have a detrimental impact on the visual landscape.'

Nine councillors voted against the application and three abstained.

Reasons for objections from members of the public included the close proximity of the turbine to neighbouring houses, altering the 'visual splendour' of the area, noise nuisance and the fact that it is sited adjacent to a World Heritage Site and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

One objection states: 'I strongly object to this wind turbine being put up as I am very concerned about the noise it is going to produce so close to our home. I also feel it would be an eyesore in the proposed position. It would also have a damaging effect on local wildlife, including the local bird and bat population.'

Another stated: 'How long is this nonsense going to keep on? We have been obliged to repeat our objections every time the application is submitted. The Government indicated that local opinion should be paramount and to the best of my knowledge the vast majority of those living in the vicinity of the proposed turbine have objected on most or all of the following grounds — noise, visual impact, reduction in local property values, danger to bird and bat life and no advantage to the community. Now let's put a stop to this once and for all. No we do not want or need the turbine.'

Several people have commented in support of the turbine, saying the turbine will reduce the farm's reliance on fossil fuels.

One supporter stated: 'I am in favour of this turbine proposal as I would much rather have a wind turbine nearby than to fill the fields with Solar PV, which would reduce the food production of the area.

'There have been objections as it would spoil the landscape but how can this be so when there are now turbines at Liskeard, Trerulefoot, Pensilva and Launceston, just to mention a few. All located in just as beautiful locations as our own area. Cornwall has always been an industrial county from mining now to the new phase of wind turbines.'

Another stated: 'This type of investment shows that the applicant has long term plans for their business which will benefit the local economy. This turbine will help towards the Government's target of achieving 30 percent of renewable energy produced in the UK by 2020.

'Renewable energy is part of our lives now and we must accept that this will involve such things as wind turbines and other renewable energy devices, unfortunately they cannot always be hidden away out for sight. Our reliance on fossil fuels must be reduced and this application is a small part of that but a great stride in the right direction.'

The application will now go before Cornwall Council for a final decision.