South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray spoke of how pleased she was to see planning changes which would ensure local people would get their say over wind farms. The proposed planning changes will ensure:
- the need for renewable energy does not automatically override environmental protections and the planning concerns of local communities;
- decisions should take into account the cumulative impact of wind turbines and properly reflect the increasing impact on (a) the landscape and (b) local amenity as the number of turbines in the area increases;
- local topography should be a factor in assessing whether wind turbines have a damaging impact on the landscape (i.e. recognise that the impact on predominantly flat landscapes can be as great or greater than as on hilly or mountainous ones); and
- great care should be taken to ensure heritage assets are conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, including the impact of proposals on views important to their setting.
In a statement local MP Sheryll Murray said, “I have been saying to the government how many local constituents have approached me with concerns over wind turbines and how local people should have more of a say. I set up a petition and campaigned vigorously for this during the recent elections. I am pleased to say that we do have a government that has listened.
“I have written to Cornwall Council urging them to issue a clear statement of intent that it will not issue any further planning approvals for onshore wind without ensuring that the intent of these changes are being taken into account.
“I am also keen to see a similar process for large scale solar and will be pushing for similar changes.”
Ends
Contact: Sheryll Murray MP 01579 344428
Further information: Sheryll’s petition is at www.windpetition.com
Pictured: Sheryll at a wind turbine in her constituency.