Electricity Act 1989 s 36

 

PUBLIC INQUIRY

 

 

Application by Devon Wind Power

 

Following Objections from 

North Devon District and Devon County Councils

 

 

Proposed Construction of 22 x 110m high

Wind Turbine Generators

and miscellaneous works

 at

 Fullabrook Down

Braunton, North Devon

 

 

Opening Statement

by

CAWT

(Campaign Against Wind Turbines at Fullabrook Down)

  

 

 28th November 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 Environment Information Services

GLEBE HOUSE, MARTLETWY, NARBERTH, PEMBROKESHIRE SA67 8AS

Telephone 01834 891331   FAX   01834 891475

 E-mail geoffrey.sinclair@virgin.net

 

1          CAWT is a local organisation formed to represent the views of people in the surrounding communities affected by this proposal with the object of concerting and expressing objections to the proposed construction of the biggest installation yet of large wind turbine generators in England and Wales.  In CAWT’s view, this is one of the most serious threats ever to face the landscape and countryside of this part of North Devon. Accordingly CAWT supports the decision of all tiers of local government to object to this proposal. 

 

2                    In principle CAWT supports government policy for the generation of electricity from renewable resources and accepts the desirability of increasing power generation from a whole range of technologies. It appreciates that there is a need for increased energy conservation and restraint in its use, coupled with determined efforts by local authorities to find acceptable sites for a variety of relevant technologies. It is nevertheless concerned at the inappropriate location, proximity, scale, and enormity of the turbines chosen by the developers for this proposed wind power station. I use that phrase quite deliberately in the context of an Electricity Act application, and believe that the convenient term ‘wind farm’ to be singularly inappropriate, even misleading.

 

3                    CAWT wishes to stress that this should not be seen in any way as a challenge to government policy but a simple statement of the planning difficulties which it poses and which have required this Public Inquiry to be held. Similarly it believes that the desire of local inhabitants to conserve and protect the landscape and visual qualities of their hinterland or ‘back-yard’ is an honourable duty. I trust that the simplistic charge of ‘nimbyism’ will not be heard at this Inquiry.

 

4                    CAWT’s objection is principally grounded on the visual impact of the turbines and miscellaneous works on this attractive and accessible landscape; its adverse effects on the general enjoyment of the countryside to local and visiting users of the many rights of way including in particular the ancient highway around which the site has been laid out; and the detriment to tranquillity and residential amenity, including the potential for noise disturbance and light interception effects whether experienced within certain properties or more generally within the open countryside. The case also covers the consequent negative effect on those aspects of the local economy which are dependent on the environmental quality of the countryside and its enjoyment by both residents and tourists.

 

5                    These issues, it is argued, bring the proposal into conflict with the development plan, and with other relevant policies and guidance. In SMAG’s view, these adverse effects are not outweighed by the project’s benefits in terms of power generation, or justified by national or regional policy for the development of renewable energy.  PPS 22 requires that renewable energy generation should take place in locations where environmental, social and economical impacts can be addressed satisfactorily, and must therefore be judged on their individual merits. More specifically, by Schedule 9 of the 1989 Electricity Act, applicants are required amongst other like duties to have regard to the desirability of preserving natural beauty.

 

6          CAWT will present evidence and in addition to contributions from me on Inquiry Topics 1 (Policy & Need) and Topic 2 will call local witnesses who will demonstrate the potential impact of the proposal from their personal and experienced perspective in terms of the effects of the proposal on the following:

 

Topic 2 (Landscape / Visual / Historic / Environment / Rights of Way)

        Richard Jerrard of Bittadon setting the scene as Chair of CAWT;

Denis Davey of Heanton Punchardon on residential amenity;

David Gibson of Little Beara on the local landscape;

Peter Kingdon on the grade 2* Listed Building at Ash Barton;

Ian Blair of Gloucestershire on the ancient highway Burland Road.

 

Topic 4 (Tourism / Business / Horse Riding etc)

Ashley Daly on horse riding in the area;

Peter Kingdon on tourism and related businesses;

Richard Jerrard: the recreational and tourism centre Stowford Farm Meadows

 

CAWT also endorses the evidence of Joan Long of the Ramblers’ Association

and includes written statements from:

Jenny Parsons of the British Horse Society;

Cllr Jenny Jenkins of Braunton;

Marwood Parish Council.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geoffrey Sinclair

for 

CAWT

(Campaign Against Wind Turbines at Fullabrook Down)

 

 

 November 2006