COUNTRYSIDE CAMPAIGN’S CONCERNS OVER FULLABROOK DECISION.
The Devon Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) spoke out today on its concerns over the decision by the Secretary of State to approve the Fullabrook Down wind farm application.
Speaking after the decision had been made public, Bob Barfoot, Chairman of CPRE for North Devon, said:
“We are shocked by the decision and by the reasoning behind it. Both the Inspector and the Secretary of State have apparently ignored the massive amount of damage that this proposal will have both on the landscape and the quality of life of those that work and live nearby.
The Inspector admitted that the proposal was in conflict with a number of county and district development plan policies, but considered that the benefits of the scheme overrode all other considerations.”
Mr Barfoot continued “The requirement to light these turbines at night with high-intensity red lights would magnify the visual impact, but this appears to have been given little weight by the Government. There would be a total of 44 red lights on the turbine towers; these lights would flash as the blades passed them and would be highly visible throughout the local area, throughout the Taw and Torridge Estuaries and over much of North Devon and Exmoor National Park.”
He was at pains to point out that CPRE supported the drive for renewable energy, but not at the expense of the countryside and those living and working within it, and said that
“Key to the Government policy is that renewable energy developments should be capable of being accommodated throughout England in locations where the technology is viable and environmental, economic, and social impacts can be addressed satisfactorily.
The Countryside Agency (now part of Natural England), Devon County Council, North Devon District Council, CPRE, a large number of parish councils, and a huge number of private individuals had all objected on the grounds that the environmental, economic and social impacts could not be addressed satisfactorily in this case.”
For further information please contact Bob Barfoot on 01398 341623, mobile 07836 506703
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/13/cpre-shocked-by-approval-of-devon-wind-project/