Wind farm plans generate debate (From Mid Devon Star)

Wind farm plans generate debate

9:00am Friday 7th July 2006 in News By Jean Tilley

PLANS for a wind farm near Tiverton have come up against stiff opposition from local people.

London-based renewable energy company Coronation Power hasapplied to use a 60-metre device to test the wind power at Bickham Moor between Rackenford and Tiverton.

If the site proves viable the company will then apply for up to four 125-metre high turbines.

Currently, the two-year-old privately funded company has no functional wind farms in the UK.

Lesley Prior of Westoctt farm lives a mile away from the proposed site in Bickham Moor.

While she supports green energy in principal she believes the city company is out of touch with they countryside and is one of 106 people to have written to Mid Devon District Council in objection.

She said: "I am very pro green energy, but I am not keen on wind farms, I feel it is the wrong approach for Devon "Not only are they enormous - taller that St Paul's Cathedral- they don't provide any local employment.

"The only people making money are Coronation Power.

Mrs Prior pointed to other locations in Devon that produce bio fuel and bio ethanol and also shared her concerns about a local spring that runs under site that is important for her farm and a local fishery.

"To keep living in Devon we've got to keep farmers farming, the countryside is a living entity, and we risk being left with acres of scrub.

"The way forward is using natural resources and in Mid Devon that is the land.

"It's not a case of 'not in my back yard' it is just not sensible and is an awful prospect when we have viable alternatives."

But Mary Gallagher, public relations manager for Coronation Power said the farm could profit the community.

"Once the farm is built it is self-sufficient and only requires routine maintenance.

"However, in construction we would try to source local products and people subject to suitability and skills."

She added that if the farm comes to fruition an unconfirmed percentage of the farm's profit (calculated by how much power the site produces) would go into a special community fund similar to a 'planning gain' repayment.

She added: "It's still in the early stages, but we're pretty sure they site has everything we need "As well as technical and environmental studies we want to engage with the community as soon as we can."

The company hope to take part in local discussions this autumn.

A public meeting will take place in Oakford Village Hall on Monday, July 10 at 7.30pm.