Wind turbine: Eden's pledge
EDEN founder Tim Smit has pledged to switch a proposed wind turbine off if it became a blight on the lives of surrounding villagers.
Two hundred people heard his vow at a public meeting about plans to build a 127-metre turbine at Eden to power the attraction, which currently uses £500,000 of electricity each year.
Amid fears the plans had been rushed through, Mr Smit and Restormel Borough Council, which is considering the planning application, have agreed to postpone the decision for a month so people can research the proposal.
Villagers, campaigners and energy experts attended the meeting at the Eden Project on Wednesday, October 29 which was called following a blockade of the attraction by local residents.
They claimed the application had been underhand and secretive and were concerned about the health and noise impacts of the machine and the flickering effect of the sun through the blades.
But Mr Smit challenged anyone to show him evidence that turbines have a negative effect on health, branding the concerns a "myth that has been fabricated".
He said: "We are facing the most challenging 30 years in the history of mankind and for us to be negligent as a project by using fossil fuels when we're supposed to be setting an example is not an option."
Residents from the neighbouring villages Trethurgy and Luxulyan are concerned about the "sundial" effect the giant turbine may have on their homes.
Renewable Energy Systems is the developer behind the plans. Project manager Rachel Ruffle said that technology could be installed on the turbine so that it could assess the conditions when flicker would occur and shut down.
She added that the turbine had to be so high to make sure it could be efficient and that people concerned about noise levels should visit local turbine sites.
Concerned local resident Malcolm Robertson said: "When will one turbine become two, two become four, four become eight?"
But senior renewable energy lecturer Dean Miller from the University of Exeter, who was sat in the audience, said: "We must not forget the overwhelming environmental reason that is driving this change away from fossil fuels.
"Two must become four, must become eight, and must become 16.
"Eden is a world icon; can there be a better place in the UK to demonstrate the effectiveness and all the environmental benefits of energy efficiency than the Eden Project?"
So far Restormel Borough Council has received 91 letters of complaint about the plans and one in support.
The decision on the plans is due to be made by the council on Janury 22 2009, moved from the original date in December.
21 Comments
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by pat, Essex
Thursday, January 08 2009, 8:45PM
“I read in the Daily Mail today 8/1/2009 a letter from a Eddie Bolton regarding a wind turbine that is to be erected at the Eden Project. I would have liked to have added my name to a protest about this, but no address was given on the letter to send protests to. In the area that I live in they have erected wind turbines and they are a real blot on the landscape and only if it is extremely windy do they generate a small amount of electricity. They spoil an area of beauty and they look awful. So I know how you feel. Good luck with your protest.”
by Jason Washington, stenalees
Sunday, November 16 2008, 7:30PM
“sad, that people slate and slander something that has evolved from the waste savaged pits of cornwall, ah well when energy prices are so expensive you cant afford to heat your homes and you fought every wind turbine / green project around bathe in our own glory.”
by local, st.austell
Thursday, November 06 2008, 12:14PM
“I think Eden has done wonders in changing general publics oppinion towards various environmental issues. As for the ice rink and the concerts... cant you see that this is a means for attracting the younger generation, who may not normally want to see a giant greenhouse. Once at Eden, they can be informed, learn etc.
As for the entry fee... why dont you keep an eye in the press for the locals for a fiver offer? as attractions all around the UK go, the entrance fee is the going rate, and if it means the staff there can get a half decent rate of pay brilliant!
As for the wind turbine, I wholely support it. In time to come technology may improve, and there may be other means to obtain greener energy
, but for now a wind turbine for Eden is the way.”
by Eden supporter, Stenalees
Monday, November 03 2008, 11:26AM
“J from Tregrehan.
As I understand it, local residents get free tickets for the concerts? The noise is monitored all night long and stops at 11pm. Do you really suffer that badly from it?
Are you entirely anti-fun or just fun a mile away from where you live?
I'm quite sure Bonfire night will create more noise pollution for you and certainly create more environmental damage and worry wildlife.
As for your charity point. Look on wikipedia for a simple explanation. Lots of charities are "not for profits" and some aren't.
This is a pretty shoddy bit of journalism, by the classically anti turbine WMN group, designed to increase tension. And well done: it worked.”
by J, Tregrahan
Monday, November 03 2008, 9:26AM
“Eden seems utterly unconcerned about noise the amount of noise generated for local residents due to concerts, I find it hard see why they would be too interested in any local opinion. We are good for cheap labour & that's about it. I still don't quite understand how Eden qualifies as a charity seeing as I thought they were "not for profit" organisations?”