October 22, 2007
England

U-turn plea over huge wind farm

A Devon council is calling on Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks to reverse a decision to allow a huge wind farm.

Earlier this month Mr Wicks gave Devon Wind Power the go-ahead for a 22-turbine project at Fullabrook Down.

The company says it will generate enough power for the annual needs of 30,000 domestic users, or 30% of total electricity consumption in north Devon.

But North Devon District Council says the impact on the area and local people outweigh any benefits.

Landscape ‘sacrificed’

It is considering whether it has a case to launch a judicial review of Mr Wicks’ decision, which was made following a public inquiry.

The wind farm, north of Barnstaple, will be about 20km (12miles) from Exmoor National Park and will be the biggest in the South West.

The 110m (360ft) tall the turbines are three times the height of existing ones in Cornwall and twice the height of Nelson’s column.

Council leader Mike Harrison said the “landscape and people of North Devon have been sacrificed in the national interest”.

He added: “This is a classic example of the impact of centralised planning on a local community.”

22 October 2007