August 13, 2014
England

CPRE ‘disappointed’ by successful wind turbine appeals

Western Morning News | August 13, 2014 | www.westernmorningnews.co.uk

Countryside campaigners said they were “very disappointed” after two wind turbines were approved by planning inspectors.

Last week, opponents welcomed news that two 250ft wind turbines proposed near Tiverton and South Molton had been turned down on appeal.

This week, they were left deflated after two appeals at Holsworthy and Bideford had been successful.

Penny Mills, chairman of CPRE Devon, said: “We are very disappointed that two more wind turbines have been allowed in the Torridge district, which already has more than any other part of Devon.

“The landscape has fundamentally been changed by them – the area around Holsworthy in particular has now become a wind turbine landscape because there are so many.

“There are now 74 wind turbines already permitted in the Torridge district alone, with still another 27 currently in planning and 13 more at appeal pending a decision and more in scoping or screening.

“There are so many in this part of Devon, that we are all now living in a giant wind farm which nobody asked for and only a handful of people benefit from.”

Inspectors approved a “small scale wind turbine” up to 155ft (35m) at Horns Cross, Bideford, which had been rejected by Torridge District Council in June 2012.

They also allowed the appeal for a 152ft (46.3m) turbine at South Arscott. That was turned by Torridge planners in October last year.

In that case, inspector Neil Pope ruled: “The harm to the character and appearance of the area that I have identified above would be limited to a 25 year period and would be reversible.

“Some harm to the character and appearance of the countryside is also an almost inevitable consequence of policies that are generally supportive of schemes for renewable energy in rural areas.

“When this harm is weighed with the benefits of the scheme there is much greater strength in the arguments for granting permission.

“Moreover, in this instance, the harm does not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. Given the wider environmental benefits of the scheme the proposal would comprise sustainable development.”


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/08/13/cpre-disappointed-by-successful-wind-turbine-appeals/