Protesters blockade Eden entrance
Villagers blockaded the entrance of the Eden Project this morning in protest of their plans to erect a 125 metre turbine.
Visitors to one of Cornwall's largest tourist attractions sat in a queue of traffic for nearly an hour as a 20-strong group of protesters parked their cars in front of the gates to stop people entering in a campaign against the plans.
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Wind turbine
Protestors stood in the driving rain with their placards as policemen tried to move them away from the attractions entrance.
Angry tourists got out of their cars and argued with the protestors, labelling them as 'nimby's' who were 'blinkered' to the need to produce green energy.
Luxulyan resident Linda Grantham said: "The turbine is far too large. Nobody here has ever been against Eden doing anything but this is just so short sighted.
"According to the professionals, if the sun is behind it, it will create a strobe effect over local villages as the blades turn.
"It won't even cover all of their electricity costs. Someone told me it will be seen from Okehampton."
The proposal is for a two megawatt wind turbine at the northern side of the Eden site which they say would generate enough energy to power the project throughout the year.
On its website, the Eden Project says that "bigger really is better when it comes to wind turbines" as the amount of energy produced increases as the blades get longer.
It adds: "Double the blade length, and you can quadruple the power!"
Local parish councillors have labelled the project as a "landmark for people to spot from a distance and remind them about Eden."
A spokesperson for the Eden Project said: "The suggestion that we have not consulted is not right and we only put in our planning application three weeks ago.
"We are holding a public meeting next Wednesday, October 29 at 6.30pm and invite everybody, including today's protestors, to come and share their views."
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by Ian, Lanlivery
Thursday, November 13 2008, 6:27PM
“the eden project has pumped around 800 million pounds in to the cornish economy. eden is a charity for cornwall itself, even if one is to discredit any green credentials. its a shame that half of those who comprehensively disagree with eden turn a blind eye to the overwhelming advantages to having eden in cornwall”
by Gazz, Truro
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 9:34AM
“cornishpasty! I could not have put it better my self, you said it all.”
by cornishpasty, kernow
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 8:30AM
“I saw this protest on the news and all the protesters were of an older age. Why??? Because the youth of today understand that renewable energy is our only hope for the future. These protesters are only thinking about themselves and their supposedly spoilt view when they open the curtains in the morning.They say it would be unsightly but would it not be better to think.....yes, this country is heading in the right direction using renewable energy which will provide for my children, their children and their children. But like i said, these protestors don't want to think about that, its all about them!!!!!”
by Chris, West Country
Monday, October 20 2008, 9:38PM
“Considering theEden Project is build on one giant slag heap -an area surrounded by some very ugly villages and small towns, the /eden Project has only been a positive thing and so what if it took some lottery money - it is money well spent and has helped to regenerate a very run down area. Wind turbines are very beautiful and do a good job and some of alleged inefficiences can be overcome with developments of the technology that must be allowed to develop. Lets face no one would want to visit that area if it wasn't for the Eden Project. To hell with the numbies and moaners!! A wind turbine has less impact and is far more beautiful than the area itself.”
by beau symons, Truro
Monday, October 20 2008, 3:23PM
“Is this the same Eden that SWRDA, Lottery and Millenium fund have pumped nearly £140m into?
When are they going to grow up and run as a proper business and stop pretending to be a charity?”