Western Daily Press | July 01, 2014 | www.westerndailypress.co.uk
Proposals to build a giant wind turbine at the countryside setting of bestselling book War Horse have been thrown out by planners.
Celebrated author Michael Morpurgo was among dozens of people who fought plans to install the 145ft (44.5m) tower in Iddesleigh, Devon.
He argued the 225 kilowatt device would “despoil” the rural community made famous by his First World War novel, which spawned a stage play and a Hollywood blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg.
His supporters also argued the 15-storey, £600,000 turbine would tower over the famous Tarka Trail, which is not far from the hall which sets the scene for the story of a young farm boy and his horse, Joey.
West Devon Borough Council rejected the Coombe Farm planning application last October but that decision was appealed.
However the Planning Inspectorate sided with villagers and reinforced the original decision on Monday, ruling that the development would harm the “appearance and character” of the local landscape and listed buildings in the area.
Inspector Janice Trask said: “The proposal would provide a valuable contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and this warrants great weight. However, this would not outweigh the significant harm I have identified.”
Mr Morpurgo, 66, who lives in Iddesleigh, wrote to the council last year saying the turbine would ”cast a shadow” over the village.
He said: ”As a result of the recent film and play based upon my book, War Horse, many more people are discovering the unique character of this corner of England, the farming country where Joey grew up before he was taken off as so many farm horses were to the First Word War.
“However, the proposed wind turbine threatens to despoil the entire area – it will be intrusive to eye and ear, it will disturb the tranquillity and cast a shadow over all who come here, city child or visitor, and over those of us who live here and love this place.”
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/07/01/wind-turbine-plans-at-michael-morpurgos-war-horse-thrown-out-by-planners/