The Taw Turbine Action Group would like to be sure that the public are aware of the risks regarding the proposed wind turbine at Clotworthy Farm, Coldridge.

We object to the proposal by Murex Energy to build a 218 foot high machine close to where people live and in a sensitive and distinctive landscape.

We are not opposed to sustainable energy production, we are not anti-farmer, we are not NIMBYs.

It is totally reasonable to insist that turbines are sited responsibly. We do not want to live next to a gigantic, noisy, moving machine for at least the next twenty years. It is also totally reasonable to point out that wind turbines are NOT a sustainable method of energy production unless there is an efficient means of storing the energy harnessed.

Those in favour of turbines believe that they will see the end of convential power stations. This is not the case. If we were to become reliant on wind energy alone we wouldn't be able to boil a kettle or watch the telly when the wind speed is too low to operate the turbine.

Local Screening applications to get the Planning Officer's opinion as to whether a full Environmental Impact Assessment is required. An early warning!

Bastow's Fields, Zeal Monachorum, Ref DR/nb/11/01162PE
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=268360&y=104023&z=0&sv=268360,104023&st=4&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

Man's Newton, Zeal Monachorum, Ref DR/nb/11/01163PE
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=268936&y=104736&z=0&sv=268936,104736&st=4&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

Lower Nymet Farm, Lapford, Ref 01139PE
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=272081&y=107644&z=0&sv=272081,107644&st=4&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

Clotworthy Farm, Coldridge, Ref 11/00554/PE
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=270241&y=108711&z=0&sv=270241,108711&st=4&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf

The above 4 are applicant Aardvark EM Ltd. 330kw 67m high (taller than a twenty storey block of flats)

Southcott Farm, Chawleigh (within the Taw Valley AGLV) Ref. DR/cg/11/01975/PE
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=270041&y=111714&z=0&sv=270041,111714&st=4&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf
Aeolus Power Wind Energy. 34.2m high, 50kW (same as Nutson Farm, Chawleigh – taller than a ten storey block of flats)

The National Planning Policy Framework was published by the Government on 27 March 2012.
You can download a copy here.
The policies in the Framework apply with immediate effect. Implementation arrangements are set out in Annex 1 to the Framework (pp 48-49).
The Framework replaces the Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning Policy Guiidance (PPG). Local policies still apply.

We are becoming increasingly concerned about not only the cumulative effect of the large numbers of recent planning applications, but also with the number of screening applications (where an opininon is requested from Planning as to which assessments are required to support a subsequent planning application) which have been made. The picture at 9th March 2012 is not good, and looks rather like this:

Turbines pending consideration – Mid Devon, North Devon + Winkleigh (4) 22
Screening Applications (number of turbines - Mid Devon only) 24
Total 46

Compare this with the controversial Fullabrook Wind Farm of just 22 turbines. If we add the turbines above to the 10 given permission in Mid Devon since November 2010 this could turn a large swathe of Devon into an enormous wind farm with 56 turbines, and the door left wide open for further, and no doubt larger, machines to follow. We call this "The March of the Machines".

Wind turbines are nothing short of being inefficient power stations on poles, ruining the Devon landscape which has, until now, been such an attraction to our visitors. Our tourist industry was worth 552,600 visitor bednights, 648,000 day visitors, £45.5 million visitor expenditure, 1241 direct jobs and 238 indirect jobs in 2003 (Mid Devon District Council - latest figures available).

What you can do now:
Whilst a planning application is still to be made for the Clotworthy Farm turbine there are still quite a few things that can be done. It is important that our representatives in local and national government are aware of our concerns and reminded that wind turbines are not a solution to sustainable energy production.

The House of Lords Bill
Latest (9th March 2012): "The Bill lapses with the coming end of this session. I propose to reintroduce it at the start of the new session (begins 9th May), incorporating some amendments suggested in our last debate. This will keep the issue before Parliament and hopefully it will get its own Second Reading not too long after. The aim must be to try and persuade the Government to adopt some or all of its provisions, rather than expect it to become law as it stands."
Lord Reay

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Taw Turbine Action Group