October 9, 2012
England

Totnes community ‘broken’ over twin turbines bid

BBC News | 9 October 2012 | www.bbc.co.uk

Opponents of a community wind turbine project in Devon have said “communities are being broken” over the proposals.

Plans for two, 100m (325ft) high wind turbines at Luscombe Cross, part-funded by residents, have been submitted to South Hams District Council (SHDC).

Resident Bob Tildersley said: “It is putting families against families and farmers against farmers”.

SHDC said the application was at the consultation stage and had 237 letters of support and 146 objections.

Higher than Big Ben

Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC), which has 500 members, came up with the plans in partnership with Infinergy in 2010.

The project involves the two organisations paying about 20% of the £6.5m cost with the remaining funds sought from the private sector.

Mr Tildersley said: “They [SHDC] don’t take any notice of the fact that communities are being broken and divided.”

Ginny Davidson, who is also against the plans, said: “I’m really angry and disappointed, they’re [SHDC] supposed to be working for us, they’re supposed to be the guardians of this area.

“They won’t give me any information, they won’t answer direct questions, we’re not being given any opportunity to put forward our arguments.”

A spokesman for SHDC said information in relation to the application was available on its website.

He said: “Providing they are valid objections, based on planning policy and legislation, officers give each representation full consideration.

“Business support and planning support officers will usually do their utmost to answer individual queries in relation to specific applications.”

Ian Bright, from TRESOC, said the turbines would be “higher than Big Ben” but “carefully sighted”.

The planning process would “determine whether they are acceptable in each location”, he added.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/09/totnes-community-broken-over-twin-turbines-bid/