Three
wind turbines are being planned on land bordering an Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty in South Devon.
The proposals for Goveton, north of Kingsbridge are the fourth for
Devon, which has no working windfarms yet.
However, work has started at fields in Bradworthy
in north west Devon, where three turbines are due to be operational
early in 2005.
Plans have also been aprroved for three turbines near Torrington,
and plans have been submitted for 22 wind turbines at a proposed wind
farm near Ilfracombe.
Each
of the turbines at the Goveton site would be 100m high to the blade
tips and will provide a maximum of five megawatts of power - enough
for 2,000 homes, says Npower.
Nearby
residents have signalled their opposition, saying the turbines will
drive away tourists.
'Prime
position'
Martin
Ranwell, who lives under a mile from the proposed site, said: "This
plan borders an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the heart
of the South Hams.
"It
is a prime position and it will be seen for miles around. If
we cannot protect an AONB then what is the point of having protected
status?"
He
said it would deter tourists to the popular holidaymaking area:
"It is the wrong place for a windfarm. In Cornwall they are
positioned away from the main tourism centres.
"The
need for wind energy has to be properly evaluated against the affect
on the countryside."
But
landowner Cynthia Morgan disagrees it's the wrong place for the
turbines: "The wind farm project is an exciting opportunity
for the growth of our farm in Goveton.
"Having
farmed for many years it has become increasingly difficult to make
sufficient money in traditional ways.
"We
are keen to diversify, enabling us to continue farming for many
years to come."
Chris
Lloyd, Npower renewables developer for the South West, said: "This
project would represent a significant contribution to the Government's
target of achieving 10% of the UK's electricity generation to come
from renewable sources by 2010."
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