December 19, 2007
England
England
Developers behind Devon’s biggest wind farm face a legal challenge by a council opposed to their plans.
North Devon District Council wants a judicial review of plans for 22 turbines at Fullabrook Down.
If the case goes ahead, the High Court could overturn the plans by Devon Wind Power.
The plans were agreed by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, but the council says the impact on the area and local people outweigh any benefits.
‘Huge impact’
The wind farm, north of Barnstaple, would be about 20km (12miles) from Exmoor National Park and would be the biggest in the South West.
The 110m (360ft) tall 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 authority had taken legal advice and it had a chance of winning its case.
He said: “These are massive turbines and it will have a huge impact on the landscape.
“It will affect people living nearby and the tourism industry.”
Devon Wind Power said in a statement that it did not welcome the move and it believed there were no grounds for a judicial review.
The company says the wind farm would generate enough power for the annual needs of 30,000 domestic users, or 30% of total electricity consumption in north Devon.
19 December 2007
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/12/19/legal-fight-over-huge-wind-farm/