October 8, 2014
England

“Ridiculous” Eastleigh wind turbine application refused

North Devon Journal | October 08, 2014 | www.northdevonjournal.co.uk

A “ridiculous” application for a wind turbine to be built near Eastleigh has been refused.

The 67-metre hilltop turbine would have powered approximately 386 homes.

North Devon’s planning officer said the site was “one of high landscape quality, highly valued by the local community and which is subject to further development pressure from wind turbine proposals”.

The officer said the proposal would have a significant effect on the surrounding landscape’s character which could not be outweighed by the public benefits.

The officer added: “The proposal would cause substantial harm to Eastleigh Barton and have a moderate to negative impact on Tapeley Park House as well as an unacceptable impact on the local landscape.”

Neil Farringdon, from the Community Power Cooperative – a partner in the project- said a community benefit fund would mean a “direct cash injection” of around £10,000 into the local community every year.

He said a community services package would result in one person being employed locally for the next 20 years and added that local residents would have the opportunity to make personal investments in the project.

But local resident Nick Ansell said he had been astonished by the proposal, adding: “Any benefits are clearly outweighed by the visual and environmental penalties.”

Councillor David Worden called the application “ridiculous”, adding: “I can’t think of a worse site in North Devon.

“It would be visible for miles and miles and miles and miles.

“It’s just in the wrong place.”

The application was unanimously refused by North Devon Council’s planning committee this morning.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/10/08/ridiculous-eastleigh-wind-turbine-application-refused/