23 January 2012 Last updated at 08:42 ET

River Walkham hydro-electric scheme gets support

Environment chiefs have backed a controversial plan to install a hydro-electricity turbine on a Dartmoor salmon river.

Renewable energy firm CGP is planning to build a 100KW turbine on the River Walkham near Yelverton.

Opponents fear the scheme will reduce the flow along a 1km stretch of the river where salmon are known to spawn.

The Environment Agency said the scheme may improve the passage of fish up the river because of an improved fish pass.

The application will now go to the Dartmoor National Park Authority in March and the company hopes to start building the turbine in the summer.

CGP said it was "pleased with the decision" on the scheme which it said could provide enough power for up to 50 homes.