September 16, 2014
England

Applications for four wind turbines in northern Devon come to nothing

North Devon Journal | September 16, 2014 | www.northdevonjournal.co.uk

Applications for a total of four wind turbines in northern Devon have not come to fruition, much to the delight of the Campaign for Rural England chairman.

An application for a single 50kw turbine at West Barton Farm in Alverdiscott was refused by Torridge District Council, a decision which was appealed by applicant Peter Ley.

However the planning inspectorate has dismissed the appeal, saying the harm caused by the turbine would “significantly and demonstrably” outweigh the benefits and would not comprise sustainable development.

Penny Mills, CPRE chairman, said: “Let’s hope that this decision is a watershed because the inspectors have finally recognised the cumulative impact of so many of these wind turbine proposals, which is something we at CPRE Devon have been saying for a long time.

“However, there are still 67 wind turbine applications still at appeal awaiting inspector’s decisions or in planning in addition to the 217 already permitted.

“Our landscape has been fundamentally changed already by these commercial developments and we do not need any more.”

A second application for three turbines at Hollamoor Farm in Tawstock has been withdrawn.

The 500kw turbines would have each measured 74 metres in height.

“We are pleased to see the withdrawal of this inappropriate scheme,” said Penny.

“However, at this juncture we don’t know whether or not the developer is going to come back with a revised scheme, so we will have to wait and see.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/09/16/applications-for-four-wind-turbines-in-northern-devon-come-to-nothing/