Group triumphant as wind plan abandoned
PROTESTORS fighting proposals to site a new wind farm in North Devon are celebrating after plans to build 15 turbines were withdrawn.
Scottish Power was looking to build the 410ft high turbines and substation in the Chilla Valley - incorporating the moors of Chilla, Graddon, Odham and Hollow near Halwill and Highampton.
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DAYS OF PROTEST: Wind turbine protestors and MP Geoffrey Cox (centre) meet at Beara Cross, Black Torrington, in March. Picture: Rob Tibbles 0903-37_06
But the energy firm has now said the site is unsuitable.
An opposition group - Chilla Against Turbines (CAT) - was formed and most recently released a blimp into the skies of North Devon to demonstrate the height of a proposed wind farm.
David Bowen from CAT said: "We are very grateful that they (Scottish Power) are not going to pursue this site. However, we do intend to stay operational as a group - keep the website live and the group vigilant in case any other developer looks at the site.
"Although we are delighted, just because one wind power company is not going to pursue this, it does not mean that another developer will not consider it. Never say never."
Mr Bowen said the site at Dunsland Cross near Holsworthy was looked at by a developer four to five years ago before Bolsterstone's proposal for four turbines was rejected earlier this year.
He added: "Support for CAT increased dramatically after we flew the blimp which could be seen from 3.7 miles away. That was always our argument - that it is was going to impact negatively on a lot of people. Many people across the area are now going to sleep a lot more easily."
Scottish Power said there are several processes that the company goes through to identify any potential site for a wind farm and it had reached the stage where it had carried out a feasibility study.
A spokesman said: "The results showed that the site would not be suitable for the kind of wind farm we were looking at.
"This was because the overall size of the site and landscape didn't fit, and there were ecological concerns with birds and bats.
"We are a responsible developer and if the site is not matching expectations then we will not pursue it and this particular site was not suitable."
3 Comments
by the big boss, combe martin
Friday, July 10 2009, 6:04PM
“yes, you'll all be crying when the government builds nuclear power stations and builds your child's house atop the waste site and you wont have any choice in that.....
well done, you should all be very proud of yourselves”
by easypreacher, The Ho!
Thursday, July 09 2009, 12:21PM
“NIMBY idiots. Dont suppose they care that their grandkids will be paying the price for holding back green technologies. Inhabited islands in the Pacific are being inundated as a result of our irresponsible and profligate use of cheap fossil fuel energy. Time for people to stop thinking about themselves and put the planet first.”
by John Barleycorn, Umberleigh
Thursday, July 09 2009, 7:08AM
“"That was always our argument - that it is was going to impact negatively on a lot of people"
Mr Bowen - please treat the English language with as much respect as you have for the English landscape.
The use of 'impact' as a verb is as shocking a blot on your sentence as you think wind turbines will be on North Devon.”