May 29, 2012
England

‘Colossal and noisy turbines will affect value of our homes’

Mid Devon Gazette, www.thisisexeter.co.uk 29 May 2012

Opponents of a plan for a pair of wind turbines in Mid Devon countryside fear their properties’ value will plummet if development goes ahead.

Proposals for two 24m high turbines at North Combe Farm, Cheriton Fitzpaine, have been put to Mid Devon District Council.

Objector John Robinson, who lives at nearby Cotton Heath Farm, Cruwys Morchard, said residents in neighbouring parishes feared they would be able to hear the turbines.

Public meetings were held in Cadeleigh and Cheriton Fitzpaine last week, the latter attracting about 100 people – so many that they had to be accommodated in the parish church.

Mr Robinson said: “There are a lot of people uptight because these turbines will be 11 storeys high.

“They are colossal and we are all going to be affected by the noise. Not only that, but they will depreciate the value of properties.

“We own the ground right beside that field where the applicant wants to put them and next to that we have a wood which you can see for miles around, so it is a landmark,” he added.

A document from AAH Planning Consultants supporting the scheme says that the turbines would generate 300-400,000 KW/h per annum.

That would equate to about 300 per cent of North Combe Farm’s energy demands and the excess generated would be fed into the National Grid

As predominantly a pastoral holding, the farm has energy demands relating to rearing and maintaining sheep and powering the dairy process.

Mr Robinson and a number of other objectors claim they have not been given sufficient opportunity to lodge their concerns with the district council, which received the application nearly two weeks before the majority of objection letters were sent to the council.

The deadline for representations is today.

By last week, the council had received 30 letters of objection and only one in support, with the majority being submitted either on or after the original deadline of May 14.

Jonathan Guscott, head of planning and regeneration at the district council, said: “Five site notices were put up. Planning applications are sent directly to the parish in which the development is proposed and the planning officer has spoken to the clerks of the parish councils who are all aware of the proposal.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/05/29/colossal-and-noisy-turbines-will-affect-value-of-our-homes/