After hearing the news of planning officer’s recommendations to refuse the planning application by Cornwall Light & Power (CL&P) to construct three wind turbines on Cheverton Down, we spoke with Steve Allen the main spokesman for the company.
He told us that the news was a huge disappointment, given expensive extensive (apologies for error, I misheard extensive as expensive) work already put in, but reminded us that planning consent was already in place for three smaller turbines.
When pushed on what CL&P would do if the application was refused at the meeting next week, Mr Allen said there were only two options; to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate, or go ahead and build the three smaller turbines.
He stated that “whatever happens at the meeting next week, there would be turbines on Cheverton Down.”
He went on to explain that the previous planning application for the smaller turbines, which has consent, was revised to up date the turbine technology. According to Mr Allen, the newer, larger turbines produce ten times the power of the turbines which currently have consent.
He went on to talk about the environmental impact, the improvements to the scheme and how the current consent has no end date, whereas the new application would only have a life span of 25 years.
He also touches on the socio-economic benefits to the Island and how placement of turbines on the Island would help the R&D facility of Vestas in Cowes.
When we pushed about the options open ti CL&P should the application be refused, he made it very clear there were only two options. To appeal or build the smaller turbines.
Listen to what Mr Allen had to say by clicking on the play button. [audio:http://otw-audio.s3.amazonaws.com/cornwall-lp-cheverton-planners-recommend-refusal.mp3]
Image: benleto under CC BY-SA 2.0
