November 19, 2012
England

Second chance to put case for wind turbines at Totnes

Herald Express | November 19, 2012 | www.thisisdevon.co.uk

Opponents and supporters of a £6.5million community wind farm project, which would see two 100m tall turbines built on the edge of Totnes, will have another chance to put their case after planners chose to postpone a decision.

Totnes Community Wind Farm backers, Infinergy, is seeking planning consent to build two 2.3 megawatt turbines east of the A381 at South Langridge Cross near Harberton.

The turbines are the size of the length of a football pitch from base to blade tip or two and a half times the height of Exeter Cathedral.

Opponents to the proposed development believe the site is sensitively located within open countryside and within close proximity of a network of protected Greater Horseshoe bats and also open to extensive public view.

Several local parish councils have expressed strong concerns and opposition to the scheme.

If approved, the £6.5million project, of which the Totnes Renewable Energy Society and Infinergy Ltd are partners, would produce 4.6 megawatts of locally installed renewable energy capacity and replace between 4,200 and 10,100 tonnes of CO2 every year that it runs.

A spokesman for the project said 20 to 30 per cent of the cost would be raised through private equity and 70 to 80 per cent from bank loans.

However, both sides of the argument will have to wait a few week longer after members of South Hams Council decided to have a full site visit before approving or rejecting the wind farm.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/11/19/second-chance-to-put-case-for-wind-turbines-at-totnes/