A NEW landmark has appeared on the horizon near Liskeard with the erection of a towering wind turbine.

The 66.7m turbine at Trethawle is one of the first in the immediate area around the town and was developed by Clean Earth Energy, of Wadebridge, in conjunction with the landowners.

Managing director Dean Robson said yesterday that construction of the turbine, for which planning permission was granted on October 9, was almost complete near the Lean Quarry junction on the A38. He said it was hoped the blades would be generating electricity in the near future.

He added that lights currently visible on the structure had been installed to assist with work on erecting it and would not be a permanent feature.

Meanwhile, planners are being recommended to approve the erection of a single wind turbine on farmland within an Area of Great Landscape Value near Horningtops.

Cornwall East Sub-Area Planning Committee is due to consider the application by Murex Energy for the turbine at Fursdon Farm.

Planning officers are recommending approval but the committee will hear that 14 objections have been received along with one in support.

One of the main concerns of objectors is the effect of the turbine on the landscape. But a report to the committee states that it is not considered the proposed turbine would have a significant detrimental visual impact in the area.

In another development, a wind turbine planned for land near Twowatersfoot has attracted rival petitions in support and against.

The application is for a turbine at Great Tredinnick Farm and conditional approval is being recommended. A petition objecting to the application and bearing 100 signatures has been submitted along with 86 letters of objection. A further petition of 108 signatures has been submitted supporting the scheme and pointing out that it would make the dairy farm more sustainable.

The objectors concerns include the detrimental impact on the landscape and the impact on nearby residential properties, particularly in terms of noise and shadow flicker.

n Opponents and supporters of plans for a solar farm at Trewidland had the chance to put their views to a site meeting on Monday. Members of Cornwall Council Strategic Planning Committee met in Trewidland Village Hall to review the planning application for a solar array at Lowertown Farm. More than 35 local people attended along with the developer Joao Cunha, and two of his agents.

Members of the community expressed their thanks to councillors for taking the time to visit the site to see the landscape for themselves and to listen to the concerns of local people.

A formal report of the meeting will be considered by the planning committee at a future date.