Wind turbines are getting taller as number now proposed reaches 60 

More than 60 wind turbines could be generating power across North Devon if all the proposed sites are approved.There are already three turbines at Stowford Cross, near Bradworthy.

But at 75 metres from base to wingtip these will be dwarfed by some of the others in the pipeline.

The 22 turbines recently approved at Fullabrook Down will reach 110 metres into the sky.

Other schemes are at various stages in the planning process.

Three applications are currently before North Devon District Council awaiting a planning decision.

Npower Renewables Ltd wants to erect nine turbines at Batsworthy Cross near Knowstone. These would be 103 metres high from base to tip.

The maximum output of this wind farm is predicted to be 22.5MW, enough to power 10,900 homes.

Two further turbines, with an estimated maximum output of 5MW are proposed for Cross Moor near Knowstone by Cross Moor Devon Light and Power. Each would be 100 metres high.

In both cases North Devon District Council has asked for clarification on a couple of issues and is awaiting a reply.

The newest application, registered on November 6 by Airtricity, is for nine wind turbines at Three Moors near the Cross Moor site.

The 105-metre high turbines will produce up to 2MW of power each.

The plans are open for public consultation until November 30.

There are also proposals for four 125-metre high turbines at Bickham Moor near Rackenford by Coronation Power.

They held a public exhibition last month but as yet no planning application has been received by Mid Devon District Council.

Each has the potential capacity of producing 3MW which together would generate enough electricity for 6,700 homes.

That’s about 20% of Mid Devon’s domestic electricity consumption.

On Torridgeside there is currently a public exhibition in Torrington on plans by Ecotricity for four wind turbines at Galsworthy between Stibb Cross and Bulkworthy.

Ecotricity claims the turbines would generate enough electricity to power up to 6,770 homes but the company has yet to submit a planning application.

There is also the possibility of six turbines going up at Wheelers Cross near Bradworthy, but the proposal by Coronation Power is currently under review by their management team.

North Cornwall District Council turned down plans for three turbines at Crimp near Morwenstow but West Coast Energy has appealed.

Exmoor National Park’s planning committee has said there should be a requirement to consider the cumulative effects of the applications on Exmoor’s landscape.

Committee members said if the information was not provided by the applicants that the Secretary of State should intervene.

Cllr Andrea Davis said: “Although each application must be considered on its merits we cannot afford to ignore the cumulative effects that could significantly impact on the traditional landscape that we are charged to protect and enhance as a National Park Authority.”

The Devon Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England welcomed their decision.

Bob Barfoot, chairman of CPRE for North Devon, said: “CPRE is delighted at the strong stance taken by the committee over this issue. We fear that if these applications go ahead there will be more turbines in total than at Fullabrook and they could undermine the very purposes for which the National Park was designated.

“CPRE fully supports the National Park in its quest for a full and factual assessment by all of the applicants into the impacts on views to and from the National Park.

“CPRE was heartened even further by committee members requesting that all four applications be called in by the Secretary of State if this assessment of the impacts on the National Park was not carried out.”

Western Morning News

22 November 2007