March 20, 2013
England

MP Geoffrey Cox to oppose all wind farms in Torridge and West Devon

By Phil Goodwin | Western Morning news | March 20, 2013 | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk

A Westcountry MP has pledged to oppose all new commercial wind farms after a surge in applications pushed parts of the countryside to “tipping point”.

Conservative Geoffrey Cox said he will formally object to each and every new scheme in his Torridge and West Devon constituency after the area became a target for turbine companies.

The pledge comes as French state-owned EDF Energy Renewables announces plans to build the biggest scheme so far in the district – six towers measuring 377ft (115m) from base to blade tip.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) claims Torridge council has abandoned all hope of refusing planning permission after losing every appeal it has contested.

The CPRE claims there are already 43 approved single turbines, 20 schemes in planning and dozens more in the pipeline subject to “scoping” exercises.

CPRE chairman Penny Mills said the countryside was being transformed into a “renewable energy landscape”.

“Torridge council feels that it cannot refuse as planning inspectors will overturn the decision,” she added.

“I think it has given up because it costs money and time fighting these decisions.

“It is a constant battle and all driven by these Government subsidies.”

Mr Cox said the “whole of the district” was now affected.

Torridge council admitted being powerless to stop the proliferation, adding that the committee was bound by planning rules.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/03/20/mp-geoffrey-cox-to-oppose-all-wind-farms-in-torridge-and-west-devon/