LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]



Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Stoodleigh wind turbine appeal rejected 

Credit:  Western Morning News | August 05, 2014 | www.westernmorningnews.co.uk ~~

Plans for a 250ft wind turbine in “unspoilt” Devon countryside have been turned down by the Planning Inspectorate.

Murex Energy Ltd had applied for a 77-metre high turbine, with a hub height of 50 metres, at Rifton Barton, Stoodleigh, north of Tiverton.

And the firm appealed to the Planning Inspectorate after Mid Devon District Council failed to make a decision in time.

But inspector Philip Major dismissed the appeal saying the turbine’s “height and movement would significantly diminish the existing feeling of isolation and the deep rural ambience around the site”.

“The proposed wind turbine would, as identified in the submitted landscape and visual impact assessment, have significant effects in an area within about 1.5km of the site,” he said in his judgment. “That is an assessment with which I agree.

“The turbine would be a strident vertical element in an otherwise rolling landscape which (apart from Stoodleigh Beacon) has nothing of similar character within it.

“Although the landscape has no formal designation it is undeniably archetypal North Devon countryside of this locality, the character of which is unspoilt in every direction. Even Stoodleigh Beacon seems to be a ‘landmark’ and an accepted part of the local character.

“I regard the landscape character as having a high value and being sensitive to change. In my judgement its sensitivity is more than moderate, and falls between that and being highly sensitive to change.”

He went on: “In this context the wind turbine would seriously detract from the existing character within about 1.5km. Its height and movement would significantly diminish the existing feeling of isolation and the deep rural ambience around the site. Even the A361 has a limited impact despite its relative proximity.”

Mr Major said the turbine would deliver environmental benefits but that did not outweigh its impact.

He concluded: “As noted above there is support for renewable energy both nationally and locally. This is a significant material consideration in favour of the proposal.

“The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions is to be welcomed. The support carries the caveat that any adverse impacts are acceptable or capable of being made so. Renewable energy is a good thing, but not at all costs.

“In this instance I have found, with specific reference to the proposal before me, that there would be significant, demonstrable and adverse impacts to the character and appearance of the surrounding rural area.”

Source:  Western Morning News | August 05, 2014 | www.westernmorningnews.co.uk

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share

Tag: Victories


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon