October 20, 2007
England
England
The decision giving Fullabrook Down wind farm the go ahead has shocked members of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).Bob Barfoot, chairman of CPRE for North Devon, said: “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.
He added: “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, 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.”
18 October 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/10/20/all-for-renewable-energy-but-at-what-expense/