PLANS for a giant solar farm on the outskirts of Helston that would be seen from more than a mile away are a step closer to fruition.

Pre-application advice is being sought from Cornwall Council for the proposed development at Gypsy Lane, running parallel to Sithney Common Hill, which would be visible from as far away as Osborne Park.

London-based Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd is behind the plans which, if approved, would produce 5MW of electricity per year, enough power to support 1,500 homes.

The operating period would be 25 years and planner Richard Jenkins said he hoped to meet a planning officer on site to discuss the project.

He said: "We have previously found that a meeting on-site is the most effective method of pre-application engagement and therefore we would prefer the pre-application meeting with a planning officer to be on site if possible."

The proposed site is 550m west of Helston and planners have said they believed the solar farm would not be an eyesore and would not affect a nearby Cornwall Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, Site of Special Scientific Interest and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"Because of the existing screening and topography of the surrounding landscape, it is considered that the development would have no impact on any of these sensitive areas," said Mr Jenkins. "This can be discussed during the pre-application meeting to ensure that the proposed development accords with local and national planning policy."

He added that there was potential to provide planting within the site to screen views and minimise the visual impact further.

Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd are now waiting on a response from planners before proceeding with the next step of their application.

A BROKEN down car has caused a delay in traffic travelling on the A39 between Carnon Downs and Truro.

The heavy traffic is a result of a broken down car at Playing Place.

Wind gusts of over 80mph were recorded in Cornwall last night as the first major storm of 2015 swept across Cornwall.

Hundreds of homes remain without power this morning after the gales struck during yesterday evening.

A buoy off Land's End recorded swell heights of 6.8 metres (22 feet) as the storm swept in.

The highest recorded gust peaked at 81mph at Polruan shortly before midnight.

However, little damage seems to have been recorded across the Duchy, with few trees down, and only reports of minor debris on the roads this morning.

Have you seen any storm damage today? Let us know using the ciomment form below, or via email to david.thomas@dc-media.co.uk

Pendennis Shipyard directors claim an oil slop facility planned at Falmouth docks could put 200 workers at risk.

In a six page letter of objection, Mike Carr is calling on Cornwall Council to refuse the application from A&P Group.

The company want to build the first facility of its kind in the UK at the yard - and it is already part of the Port of Falmouth Masterplan.

However, the site for the development has changed - instead of being at the eastern end of the contaminated land, near the helipad, the application shows it on the contaminated waste land itself.

Mr Carr said: "This application fails to address the reason for the proposed relocation or to provide appropriate justification.

"Given the highly flammable and hazardous nature of the materials proposed, its location immediately adjacent to an occupied workspace which accommodates up to 200 personnel, is considered inappropriate and a significant risk.

"The adjacent workspace accommodates a whole floor of metal fabrication and welding facilities which provide a significant source of ignition in the event of a combustible or flammable discharge from the proposed facility.

"Whilst the proposal is below statutory thresholds (to require a hazardous substance consent) A&P Group is not currently a licensed operator of such facilities and given the potential risks the application should be required to detail how the facility is intended to be operated within the regulatory regime that applies to such facilities."

He said the appliation fails to address the issues relating to the contaminated site and how this will be remediated or to address the "substantial risks" to public health and the environment.

According to Mr Carr a report written in 2011 commissioned by Cornwall Development Company says the ground in question "presents a significant risk to construction workers and Carrick Roads and moderate risk to site users and offsite users" because of its contamination.

In the design statement to accompany the application it states the land is used for temporary car parking which can be mitigated by other parking created in the docks.

But Mr Carr said the additional spaces are for increased staff at Pendennis Shipyard and therefore they will lose 80 spaces.

The town council's planning committee has objected to the application due to its proximity to other users of the docks.

However it said it would consider the alternative location identified in the masterplan.

Adrian Roberts, head of the charity BF Adventure near Longdowns has met with Samantha Cameron at Number 10.

The chief executive was invited to a charity champions reception in recognition of the positive impact BF has had on supporting disadvantaged children and young people.

Mr Roberts said: "I was accompanied by George Eustice MP for Camborne, Pool and Redruth whom is a keen supporter of our work with many of his constituents

"I was given a tour of the Houses of Parliament before heading to the reception inside No 10 in the state drawing rooms and joined other Charity champions and supporting MP's.

"During the evening I had the opportunity to raise concerns over the challenges facing youth services across the county due to budget cuts and the need to ensure alternative sources of funding are developed to support those most in need."

BF Adventure, formerly known as Bishop's Forum, works with hundreds of disadvantaged and disabled children and adults in Cornwall every year to raise confidence and skills and help them gain accreditations to succeed at school or to find employment.

The site at Halvasso includes three former granite quarries and also offers adventure activities, corporate team building days, private parties, schools and clubs.

A FORMER navy officer is doing things his way as he prepares to become Cornwall's first Frank Sinatra impersonator.

It will be more Redruth, Redruth than New York, New York for Vince Hall when he moves to the town from Hampshire in April.

Mr Hall, who has been impersonating old blue eyes since the early Nineties, wants to start spreading the news that he is looking for a venue for a special performance on December 12 – what would have been Sinatra's 100th birthday.

Mr Hall said: "Frank Sinatra is an incredibly inspirational artist and I think it is important to recognise this on his birthday.

"He was a pioneer of swing music and you only have to turn on the radio or the TV to still hear one of his songs on a show or an advert. He made endless and timeless music which still speaks to people even today. From what I can tell there doesn't seem to be a Frank Sinatra performer in Cornwall, so I am looking forward to moving down with my fiancee this year."

Mr Hall's passion for the American crooner began as a child, and during his time as a physical training (PT) instructor in the Navy, Sinatra got further under his skin.

When the 55 year old saw Sinatra in concert at London's Albert Hall in 1987 he thought about making a second career out of a tribute act.

"He was unbelievable. I was waiting for this big grand entrance, but he just walked on stage and started singing," Mr Hall said.

"Seeing him live was amazing. I think he was in his seventies and he could still carry a tune."

Mr Hall performs a variety of Sinatra's back catalogue at pubs, clubs, residential homes and theatres across the UK, including My Way, Fly Me To The Moon and I've Got You Under My Skin, as well as lesser-known songs.

He also copies Sinatra's iconic look, adding: "I always wear a tuxedo with a black bow-tie and red handkerchief in the pocket and a ring on my little finger like Sinatra used to.

"When I am getting changed for a show it's like becoming an alter ego and for the next few hours I am Frank Sinatra."

One of Vince's tracks can be heard at www.westbriton.co.uk

Contact him at vincehallsinatra@virginmedia.com

A SEASIDE council will pay £60 a day to keep a set of public toilets open during the school holidays to help save tourism in the town.

Residents of Portreath lobbied Cornwall Council before Christmas in their fight to keep its conveniences open throughout the year.

After lengthy negotiations, Portreath Parish Council reluctantly agreed in September to Cornwall Council paying to keep the toilets open throughout the summer months and on weekends in winter.

But concerned residents and businesses presented a petition of more than 500 signatures – organised by Brian Sander – calling for the authority to pay to keep the toilets open.

Mr Sander was prompted to take up the cause after he found a distressed woman in Portreath car park in late November.

He said: "She had wet herself because the toilets were closed and we have had other instances such as a young boy who went into a shop and soiled himself and another young girl who was out with her grandparents and she wet herself as there are no other facilities."

Portreath council has agreed to pay to keep the toilets open Monday to Friday over Christmas, autumn and spring half-term holidays at a cost of £60 per day.

Mr Sander added: "It is better than nothing, but it is short-sighted. It is affecting trade and visitor numbers, stopping the coach loads coming through.

"The toilets are not the legal responsibility of Cornwall Council, the parish council or the Portreath Improvements Committee but there is a moral responsibility."

Portreath council wants the toilets open seven days a week, but its leader, Douglas Coates, said: "Unfortunately the parish council could not afford to pay the £15,600 it would cost to take over the toilets from Cornwall Council – that is more than we receive in precepts.

"But we have got to find a way – you can't have a beach community without public facilities.

"It is too soon to tell if their closure has had any effects on businesses and we have acted very quickly to try and counter that happening by paying to open the toilets during the holidays."

There are fears that increasing cuts to Cornwall Council's budget could remove all funding for toilets in the future.

Mr Coates added: "In two years' time in the proposed Cornwall Council budget there is no money allocated for toilets, so somehow we now have to negotiate with other people and businesses to set up a fund to keep them open."

In response to the petition, Cornwall Council said it was in discussions with parish councils and businesses about the issue of public toilets. 

It added it was facing major budget cuts but its officers will meet with Portreath Parish Council and the local Cornwall councillor to explore future management options for the toilets. 

A Falmouth pasty shop manager has appeared on ITV's quick-fire dating show Take Me Out to see if host Paddy McGuinness can fix her up with the man of her dreams.

Georgette Beacham, 24, from Penryn, appeared on the first in the current series last Saturday night and will be back vying for the affections of the four suitors again this weekend.

The show features 30 women each week who flirt with the brave bachelor boys who have to impress them to try to bag themselves a date on the sun-kissed 'Isle of Fernandos'.

Georgette, the assistant manager of Rowe's pasty shop on Market Street in Falmouth, was chosen from 200 women at an audition in November.

"The main thing I think they liked was that I worked in a pasty shop in Cornwall," she said.

"And that I said I went the other side of the world, to Australia, to find love, but had no success.

"That's not true but you have to play on things a little bit at the audition to get on the show.

"And that I'm into vintage cars, VW Golfs."

The 10 shows in the current series were filmed in Maidstone, Kent, over two weeks in November.

The girls arrived at the studio every day before 10am and spent hours in hair and make-up before a one-hour rehearsal and the filming of the show from 7pm to 9.30pm in front of a 350-strong audience.

Between filming the contestants were not allowed to go outside of the hotel for fear of being questioned by members of the press.

"Runners went to the shops for you and we were taken to the Chinese in a taxi with an escort," she said.

"If we were approached by anyone from the press we had to walk away and not talk to them, under conditions of the contract we had to sign.

"When I was filming the show it was quite pressured because you have to give clever answers and you get more air time if you answer the questions related to the guy and you, to make it more personal.

"Paddy was just the same off screen as he was on screen. He was lovely.

"It was exciting to say the least, but a bit of a surreal experience.

"We had everything done for us, and when you're on TV suddenly people keep tweeting about you."

All the women stay in the show until the end of the series or until they find a date, whichever comes sooner.

Georgette could not say whether she got a date during the show, but added: "You might see me for a few more weeks yet."

To see if she finds her match made in heaven, tune into ITV, Saturday 17th January at 8.05pm.

Georgette is not the only Cornish girl to appear in the current series.

Newquay dressmaker Alison Ballard is also due to appear on this Saturday' show.

Trago Mills is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary and is planning several promotions and activities throughout the year.

Founded in the 1960s by Mike Robertson and his wife Pam, the discount stores began in Liskeard, Newton Abbot and Helston, before the latter moved to Falmouth.

Bruce Robertson, son of the founder and now Chairman of the Trago Mills group of companies, remembers how it all started.

He said: "Initially my parents wanted to develop the disused explosive factory site at Twowaters Foot as a sportsmens' resort that would offer amongst the best fresh water fishing in the county - and be run in conjunction with their shark fishing vessel "Quesada", a converted MTB that operated out of Looe.

"Regrettably, the authorities thought otherwise and the rest is history; no bad thing for myself as otherwise I would probably still be pulling pints and washing dishes in the clubhouse! There were many windfalls and amusing episodes along the way, the Villiers diesel engine bankrupt parcel, the half coaster load of Russian wellies and many more that I'm sure will be re-told with considerable fondness before the year is out.

"With few options and no money remaining, dad reverted to the wheeling and dealing he so enjoyed in the early post-war years and retailing began 'under the radar' in 1965 - and here we still are!

"We've seen many famous retail giants come and go since then but there's no doubt the main reason for our longevity is our total commitment to offering unbeatable prices on tens of thousands of products, in-store, here and ready to take away."

Speaking about this year, he said: "We've got some terrific new developments in the pipeline and are planning some fun things for shoppers as, after 50 years of loyal support, now is definitely as good a time as any to remember who put us where we are today - local people, our customers."

An opportunist burglar broke into a Camborne house yesterday afternoon, making away with several precious possessions.

The criminal snuck into a property on Holman Avenue between 12:30pm and 4:30pm through a bedroom window and took jewellery, hair straighteners, a designer handbag and china as well as a number of beauty products before fleeing out the front door.

The property belongs to a grandmother and police have asked anybody with information to call 101 quoting crime reference CR/003355/15

A DISABLED woman has been told by her housing provider that she must tear out a gas fire she paid for herself.

Rhonda Gessey, 48, installed her own kitchen and gas fire in the Coastline Housing property in Coronation Avenue, for which she said she was granted permission by Coastline.

Ms Gessey suffers from the rare genetic disorder Wilson's disease, and has lived in the property for ten years, hoping to remain permanently.

She explained that as a child she was wrongly sectioned and sent to St Lawrence Hospital mental health facility in Bodmin, and was also told she would never walk, talk or have children.

Ms Gessey has since defied doctors by being able to talk quietly, walk with the aid of a stick and have a daughter who now acts as her carer.

"I've done all this work myself out of my own pocket as Coastline didn't want to do it and I've even got into debt because of it," she said.

"They agreed to the kitchen and gas fire and there's nothing in the tenancy to say that I couldn't have them put in.

"They have told me the fire has to go as they are putting new roofs on the properties in Coronation Avenue and want the chimney out. It's extremely stressful and I don't want to suffer another relapse."

Work has already begun with scaffolding installed around a number of properties.

"I've always tried to get on with my life as best I could, despite my condition, and I just want to keep my home as it is," she added.

Roy Skinner, a resident of a Coastline house nearby, said: "My wife needs a gas fire to keep warm and when I told Coastline they agreed we could keep the fire."

In a statement, Coastline Housing said: "Homes in Coronation Avenue have received many improvements over the past few years to bring them up to the standards of a modern home. Replacement of worn-out roofing and removal of chimney stacks is the latest work to be completed.

"All these houses have full central heating, but where some of our customers require use of an additional heater we have offered to fit new electric fires as replacements for gas fires."

British Transport Police are trying to trace a woman whose dog bit a pensioner on a train in the run-up to Christmas.

The incident happened on a Penzance to Paddington service on Sunday, December 21.

Officers have released a CCTV image of a woman with the dog who are believed to have got on the train at Redruth and alighted at Par

The victim, from the west of Cornwall, suffered visible bite marks and bruising.

PC Bob Edwards said: "A 72-year-old woman boarded the 8.30am service at St Erth, and sat in coach D. A woman with a dog were sitting nearby, and the lady was bitten on the leg.

"She went to the toilet to examine her injuries, which required a tetanus vaccination. The woman and dog had gone by the time she returned to the carriage.''

"I want to speak to the woman pictured in the CCTV images. I would urge her to come forward, as I want to speak to her about what happened that day.

"If you recognise her, or her dog, please get in touch,'' said the officer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference B3-GSUB of 15/01/2015. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

The A30 westbound between Scorrier and Redruth has been closed after a huge 25 ft -deep mineshaft appeared.

The hole – about 4 ft and 3 ft wide – appeared shortly before 1pm and police closed the road.

Drivers are being diverted to the A3047 at Scorrier. Long delays have been reported. 

Cornwall Council's highways officers are currently at the scene. 

PASSENGER numbers at Cornwall's only airport soared by nearly a quarter last year, according to new figures.

More than 220,000 travelled through Newquay Airport in 2014, a 20% rise on the numbers for the previous year.

Airport officials said the strong performance was mainly due to high demand and usage of the daily services to and from Manchester and London Gatwick, as well as the summer services to Birmingham and Liverpool.

The final quarter of 2014 was particularly strong with over 43,400 travellers using the airport, an increase of 31 percent on the same period of 2013.

Managing director of Newquay Cornwall Airport Al Titterington said the growth in passenger numbers was "extremely encouraging".

"It demonstrates that with an improving economy we continue to see a positive growth profile at the airport," he said. "With new destinations added to the flight schedule, regional connectivity was bolstered and worldwide travel options opened up via airline partnerships offering convenient flights from hubs at Manchester, Gatwick and Birmingham."

Passenger forecasts for 2015 show further growth in passenger numbers, as the airport has added new destinations such as Dublin and London-Stansted.

Official will also continue discussions with a number of airlines in the hope of adding even more destinations to a growing list.

Cornwall Council Member for Partnerships Adam Paynter said the passenger increase further demonstrates the importance of having an airport in the county.

"The airport continues to keep Cornwall connected for both the business and leisure traveller," he said. "This summer the airport will offer convenient and timely access to the South West from key destinations across the UK and Ireland and the economic benefits for the county are significant as large numbers of travellers are expected, especially from Dublin and Liverpool." 

THE HIGHWAYS Agency has reopened one lane of the A30 westbound between Scorrier and Redruth after the appearance of a 15 ft deep hole caused it to be closed earlier this afternoon. 

The hole, which is approximately 4 ft wide and believed to be a mineshaft, opened up on a verge beside the busy road.

Police were alerted and the road was closed shortly before 1pm.

The Highways Agency is at the scene and urgent investigations are underway.

A mining expert has also been called to assess the situation.

Drivers were being diverted to the A3047 at Scorrier, causing delays of up to 40 minutes in the area, but the Highways Agency has now reopened one lane. 

As of 6pm, drivers can expect delays of at least 15 minutes. 

Julian Strong, Highways Agency area manager, said: "At the moment we do not know what has caused the hole but we are working as quickly as we can to understand what has happened and identify a solution."

AN ACCIDENT at Chiverton Cross roundabout which caused major congestion on all joining routes during rush hour this evening has now cleared. 

Cars were at a standstill from Morlaix Avenue in central Truro all the way along the A390 to Chiverton Cross.

Routes such as the B3277 to St Agnes, the A3075 to Penhallow and the road to Blackwater were also affected. 

However drivers can still expect delays in the area, as one lane is closed on the A30 between Scorrier and Redruth due to the appearance of a 15 ft deep hole. 

ONE lane of the A30 westbound between Scorrier and Redruth is set to remain closed overnight to allow specialists to inspect a 15 ft deep hole which appeared beside the carriageway.

The hole, which is approximately 4 ft wide and believed to be a mineshaft, opened up on a verge beside the busy road.

Police were alerted and the road was closed shortly before 1pm. By 6pm, the Highways Agency had reopened one of the lanes.

The Highways Agency is at the scene, and a mining expert has also been called to assess the situation.

Earlier today drivers were being diverted to the A3047 at Scorrier, causing delays of up to 40 minutes in the area.

Julian Strong, Highways Agency area manager, said: "At the moment we do not know what has caused the hole but we are working as quickly as we can to understand what has happened and identify a solution."

The irony of a 25ft hole on the A30 opening up on National Pothole Day was not lost on social media tonight.

As police looked into the opening of the suspected mineshaft on the A30 at Scorrier, the jokes started to pour in.

Cornish comedian Kernow King wrote on Facebook: 'You know the old saying, "at the bottom of every hole in the world you'll find a Cornishman". This is the hole that's brought a bit of chaos to the A30. If there is a Cornishman at the bottom, he's gonna be a tiddler!'

Twitter was full of pictures and comments about the 'massive' hole that closed the busy main road for several hours after Cormac released a picture of it.

@Jules_lewis posted a picture of a pasty in the hole with the caption 'A30 hole not as massive as first feared.

He also posted a second picture of a dinosaur next to the hole, writing 't-Rex for scale'.

@longponder wrote 'somebody should look into this - massive hole closes a30 in cornwall in national pothole day'

@budeandbeyond Well, it is National Pothole Day...so only right that the A30 should close because of one

@theboyetch A big hole has opened up on the A30 in Cornwall...police are looking into it

@katyt234 Cornwall council builds cornwalls busiest road over a mine shaft ��

@penrynartsfesti And, not only is a big hole in the A30 being looked into by the Highways Agency, but it's#NationalPotholeDaytoo! My life is complete...

@richardgreenhou Giant pothole on A30 in Cornwall. Are Cormac solutions looking into it ?P

PLANS to build housing on one of the last green field sites around Swanpool at Falmouth have taken a step closer after the town council supported the scheme.

Linden Homes proposes to build 32 units on land off Swanpool Road, next to a recently-built housing development.

Of these, 20 will be open market – 12 four-bedroom houses and eight two-bedroom apartments.

There will be 12 affordable homes – four two-bedroom, six three-bedroom and two four-bedroom. Three will be for sale, the rest for rent.

But the proposal has led to objections from residents and the Falmouth Bay Residents' Association.

In a letter to Cornwall Council, the association says: "There are many detailed concerns with the planning application, particularly with respect to vehicular access to the site and surface water drainage.

"However, our association would contend that the land in question should not be considered for any form of residential development and that it should remain as a green field site; it is the only remaining such area on the southern side of Swanpool lake and as such is integral to the visual amenity.

"Building on this land would have a serious impact on the whole Swanpool scene and would diminish the attractiveness of the area and spoil the setting of the South West Coast Path and the nature reserve.

"Other, less sensitive sites have been identified which are able to accommodate the housing needs of Falmouth, including affordable housing.

"Developing the site in question will have a negative impact on the attractiveness of the area and provide no material gain.

"This proposed development is contrary to the best interests of Falmouth."

But the inclusion of affordable housing swayed Falmouth Town Council's planning committee to support the scheme.

It said: "The development will provide much needed affordable homes, including social rented provision and the site access has been improved, including highway pavement and a safer footpath within the boundary of the site."

Cornwall Council will decide the application.