John Vanstone, Crimp Wind Farm, Cornwall
Organic Beef and Sheep farmer John Vanstone first heard about
the financial possibilities a wind farm could provide at a public
exhibition held by West Coast Energy for the nearby Forestmoor
scheme. John expressed an interest in pursuing something similar on
his 175 acres of land at North Eastcott Farm back in 2001. John
finishes 60-70 cattle annually that are sold through St. Merryn
Foods, a Tescos supplier and local box schemes, as well as 150-200
sheep that pass through the local market.
In partnership with West Coast Energy and his farming neighbour,
John assembled plans for a scheme of three commercial wind
turbines. The Local Authority initially refused the application on
ecological and landscape grounds, but West Coast Energy worked on
mitigation proposals with Natural England, and presented a revised
scheme that won the Inspectors' support, following a public
inquiry, in March 2008.
The project is in the final stages of site preparation for
construction. Crimp Wind Power Ltd, the subsidiary company formed
to develop the project, is in the process of selecting turbines for
the site and plans to be generating and supplying renewable
electricity to households and businesses in the South West by the
end of the year.
John Vanstone comments: "Getting over our planning challenges
was no problem with West Coast Energy's expert planning team on our
side. We are looking forward to a long-term supplementary income to
our agricultural enterprises without impacting on day to day
farming operations."
