PLANS to erect a meteorological monitoring mast up to 100 metres in height at St Eval have been withdrawn.

Cleanearth Energy sought permission for a period of two years as part of plans approved for a wind turbine repowering site at Bears Down Wind Farm but the scheme would have had an adverse impact on a scheduled barrow group.

Heritage consultancy Southwest Archaeology said: “This short report presents the results of a rapid appraisal of the potential heritage impact of a 100 metre tall mast for the accurate measuring of wind speed at a proposed wind turbine repowering site. This work has been undertaken on behalf of Cleanearth Energy.

“The meteorological mast would be located on the north-facing upper slopes of Bear’s Down. The historic maps indicate this area was unenclosed rough grazing into the 19th century. Some field boundaries existed, notably along the line of the adjacent track. The ground was enclosed and improved over the course of the 19th century. South of the parish boundary the land belonged to the barton and manor of Denzell, held by a family of that name until 1535. By the 19th century it was owned by the Hoblyns of Nanswhydden.

“Open, elevated locations were favoured in the Early Bronze Age for burial, and accordingly there is a group of burial mounds, in varying degrees of preservation, in close proximity to the site of the proposed mast.

“This assessment has determined the direct impacts associated with the erection of the proposed meteorological mast are likely to be minimal.

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“There would be an adverse effect on the setting of the Scheduled barrow group offset by the temporary nature of the installation and the kinetic and distracting character of the operational wind farm. Nonetheless, there is likely to be a minor adverse cumulative effect.”