Fullabrook wind farm opponents criticised for wanting some of £3.5m planning gain fund
Parish councillors who opposed the Fullabrook wind farm have been criticised for showing interest in a £3.5m community chest available now the scheme has been approved.
The criticism has been aimed at West Down Parish Council by Fullabrook resident Keith Apps, who works for wind farm developers Devon Wind Power and who has followed the planning application process since its infancy more than 20 years ago.
He said he was angry that the council, which had always opposed the planning application, was now looking to cash in on the £3.5m planning gain allocation, which will be provided when the wind farm is built.
He said: “West Down Parish Council have always vociferously opposed the wind farm, and it appears they are now the very first council to be ready with the begging bowl.
“Why on earth should they get their hands on it, when they won’t even have any of the turbines on their parish land? Braunton Parish Council should get first crack at it.”
At last month’s parish council meeting, West Down councillor Tony Hewitt asked if details could be obtained about the community funds allocation, which was to be provided by the wind farm applicants as part of the scheme proposals.
The move followed North Devon Council’s unsuccessful attempt to have the approval for the Fullabrook wind farm overturned at judicial review.
Mr Apps added: “The money is at present being set up via a trust fund, which is a completely separate entity to Devon Wind Power, and will be distributed for the good of the local community.
“I would like to see the fund have tighter restrictions imposed on it, so that it goes to the right recipients.
“It should be stricter and more focused. Perhaps only going to energy saving projects within the local area, rather than pointless village halls.
“Perhaps the money could go to completely kitting Braunton out with solar-powered street lights. But the main point I’m trying to get across is to let people know about this money, I’m worried the right people aren’t aware of it.”
But West Down parish council spokesman David Lewis said: “As a parish council we are very much against the wind farm and have been for the past 20 or so years, since its inception. But now it’s been passed — so why not see what the funds entail?
“West Down is the nearest sizeable village, and the nearest sizeable population to the turbines, so why shouldn’t we enquire about the money, and at this stage it’s nothing further than that.”
28 August 2008
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