AN?APPEAL has been lodged following Cornwall Council's decision to refuse an application for the erection of 20 wind turbines at Davidstow.

The application sought permission for the renewable energy project comprising of the erection of 20 wind turbine generators, each with a maximum height of 126.5 metres, together with associated access tracks, hard standing areas, control and substation building, borrow pits, two metrological masts and a temporary construction compound.

The turbines, if approved, would be sited adjacent to land to the south west of Davidstow Woods.

Cornwall Council refused the plans as they felt insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate satisfactorily that the development would not result in interference with air to ground aircraft communications systems.

In addition, the council said insufficient information had not been provided to demonstrate that the development would not have unacceptably adverse impacts on protected and other species or their habitat, namely Golden Plover, the over wintering of which species is the reason in part for the designation of the adjoining Bodmin Moor North SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), as well as Starlings.

The appeal has been lodged by Community Windpower Ltd. A Public Inquiry into the appeal will be held on a date yet to be arranged.

Bob English, member of STINC (Stop Turbines in North Cornwall) commented on the appeal: "People are generally disappointed. Davidstow parish held a council meeting on February 7 at which Community Windpower Ltd talked to us about their new wind farm proposal of 16 126 metre turbines as apposed to their original application for 20 126 metre turbines.

"That first application was turned down and it is that application for an appeal has been lodged. At no time did CWP Ltd mention that they were going to appeal, but it became public knowledge about two weeks later (or less).

"People are very disappointed and are waiting to see how they are going to appeal."