PA12/11941 Site address: Land At Wilton Farm Trerulefoot Cornwall Proposal: Installation of solar farm and associated infrastructure Parish: Deviock Applicant: Murex Energy Ltd Public Comments Andrew Beaumont (Objects) Comment submitted Wed 17 Apr 2013 I wish to object to the Cornwall Council Planning Application PA12/11941. The proposed development (which includes about 40,000 solar photovoltaic panels, seven inverters, one substation and security fencing and surveillance cameras covering over 36 acres) would have a significant and substantial adverse visual impact on (i) the designated Area of Great Landscape Value and (ii) on the setting of the immediately adjacent Cornwall Nature Conservation Site, and (iii) would look completely out of place and in complete contrast to the surrounding unspoilt countryside landscape and rural fields and nearby fishing lakes. The development covers over 36 acres of farm fields and is situated on the highest area of the local landscape. This application would conflict with policies CL2, CL8 and CL9 of the adopted Caradon Local Plan and Policy 1 of the Cornwall Structure Plan. The National Planning Policy Framework states that planning should protect and enhance the quality, character and amenity value of the countryside. The River Seaton, Hessenford village and the Seaton Valley have suffered from episodes of significant flooding over several years. The road between Hessenford and Seaton is currently awaiting expensive repairs due to flood damage. The necessary footings for the solar panels and the substation and the seven inverters would result in a significant loss of existing permeable ground and there would also be some increased run-off from off the solar panels. This would cause increased surface water run-off and increased further the risk of flooding in the above areas, which is unacceptable and is contrary to both policies ALT4 and ALT5 of the adopted Caradon Local Plan. The proposed development would involve use of agricultural classification grade 2 land which is designated best and most versatile. The development would conflict with Policy CL5 of the adopted Caradon Local, Policy 3 of the Cornwall Structure Plan and with the National Planning Policy Framework which encourages the use of 'Brownfield' or previously developed land before higher-quality agricultural land is used. Despite the potential for renewable energy generation by the development, this planning application should be refused as the solar photovoltaic development is inappropriate in this location and would cause substantial harm and industrialisation to the landscape character. The Occupier (Objects) Comment submitted Wed 17 Apr 2013 Please see the documents tab for comments. Jennifer Gill (Objects) Comment submitted Tue 16 Apr 2013 for full objections please see documents tab Mrs Pauline Harry (Objects) Comment submitted Tue 16 Apr 2013 I would be grateful if you would register my objection to the above proposal on the following grounds: - 1) It lies within an Area of Great Landscape Value 2) It lies adjacent to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty 3) The development will cause increase in water run off into the Seaton Valley, thereby increasing the flood risk. 4) The cumulative impacts of other such proposals in the vicinity must be taken into consideration 5) Contrary to Cornwall Structure Plan and the retained Caradon Plan as it conflicts with CL2, CL8 and CL9 In summary the negative impacts of such a development overwhelmingly outweigh any perceived benefits, therefore such a development should not be granted planning permission. A And P Blonden (Objects) Comment submitted Tue 16 Apr 2013 It was with sadness I learned of the application for a solar energy farm at Wilton, covering a full 35 acres of agricultural land. While you will already have received comment from others concerning conflict with Caradon and Cornwall Planning policies, my own concerns revolve, more specifically, around the "industrialisation" of this rural landscape - over such a large area, which, due to its elevation, will be clearly seen for very many miles around and, even more importantly, because of the impact that it will have on the wildlife of the area, which latter, because "solar" energy is generally regarded as 'clean', is rarely given serious consideration. To begin with, almost certainly, prior to construction, the whole site will be sprayed with herbicides and, once covered by the panels, virtually nothing will be allowed to grow in the vicinity. Thus, over this wide area, all indigenous wildlife will be excluded, as there will be no food supply: not only mammals, but insects and invertebrates and, therefore, birds ie. the area, to all intents and purposes, will become and remain sterile. This is bound, also, to have a "knock-on" effect throughout the surrounding countryside. While it could be argued that these adverse consequences might be acceptable in large tracts of wasteland, this would not apply to the area proposed - nor, indeed, in most areas of the rural south west. It may be understandable that the need for sustainable energy creates well-meaning disciples who wish, at all costs, to maximise such apparently benign developments; sometimes, however, this zeal risks the danger of ignoring the consideration of the very environmental aspects they should be striving to conserve. I sincerely hope that you will not be overwhelmed by such "single-issue" thinking and, having more regard for the wider picture, will refuse this application. Thank you. Ruth Hughes (Objects) Comment submitted Mon 15 Apr 2013 I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Planning application PA12/11941 Solar Photovoltaic proposal at Wilton, Trerulefoot Cornwall. The proposed development, which includes 40,000 solar photovoltaic panels, seven inverter, one substation, as well as security fencing and surveillance cameras will have a significant and sub-verse impact on the visual impact of:- 1. A designated area of great landscape value, 2. On the setting of the immediately adjacent Cornwall Nature Conservation Site, 3. The immediate surrounding area of natural beauty as well as the Fishing lakes in extremely close proximity. The development cover over 36 acres of farm fields and is situated on the highest area of the local landscape. The application would conflict with the planning policies CL2, CL8,and CL9 of the adopted Caradon Local Plan and Policy 1 of the Cornwall structural plan. The National Planning Policy Framework states that planning should protect and enhance the quality, character and amenity value of the countryside. The River Seaton, Hessenford village and the Seaton Valley have suffered from episodes of significant flooding over several years. The road between Hessenford and Seaton is currently awaiting expensive repairs due to flood damage. The necessary footings for the solar panels and the substation and the seven inverters would result in a significant loss of existing permeable ground and there would also be some increased run-off from off the solar panels. This would cause increased surface water run-off and increased further the risk of flooding in the above areas, which is unacceptable and is contrary to both policies ALT4 and ALT5 of the adopted Caradon Local Plan. The proposed development would involve use of agricultural classification grade 2 land which is designated best and most versatile. The development would conflict with Policy CL5 of the adopted Caradon Local, Policy 3 of the Cornwall Structure Plan and with the National Planning Policy Framework which encourages the use of 'Brownfield' or previously developed land before higher-quality agricultural land is used. Despite the potential for renewable energy generation by the development, this planning application should be refused as the solar photovoltaic development is inappropriate in this location and would cause substantial harm and industrialisation to the landscape character. Paul Harry (Objects) Comment submitted Mon 15 Apr 2013 Please accept my objection for the above proposal. If one looks at the Cornwall Planning Department's own web-site, it is evident that there is an abundance of applications for solar farms and the erection of wind turbines. However, if care is not exercised in choosing the most appropriate sites for such applications, Cornwall is in danger of having its most valuable asset, its most beautiful landscape, being irrevocably destroyed. Landscape character designations are given in order to protect those areas which are felt to be the most important. It therefore seems an absurdity that such a development could possibly be granted permission given that this area is an AGLV, adjacent to AONBs, the conservation area of Hessenford, Historic Parklands etc. Even Cornwall Councils own Landscape officer is not in favour of this development. Mr John Whitham (Objects) Comment submitted Sun 14 Apr 2013 I wish to object strongly to this application. This development would change a huge area of prime agricultural land into an ugly overbearing industrial complex with fencing, buildings and cameras. This is in an area of importance for its rural green landscape. This sort of development if allowed would spoil this are for a very long time. You know that it is contrary to the local area plan made by the Caradon Council which is still in place. It would be against the Cornwall structure plan as well as National Planning Policy which states that developments should not harm and should enhance the landscape of the countryside. OK so it would contribute to the "green renewable energy resources of the County but this sort of development could and should be sited in areas where it would not spoil the most valuable asset of this County, the picturesque idyll that attracts people to come and visit the place and bring with them the much needed revenue for the local economy. If we spoil this place with such developments as this then I do not think that as many visitors will come to admire the contribution to the green energy production as there are that come here to enjoy the green and pleasant land.