End of inquiry into windfarm at Three Moors

By scockroft

FINAL submissions were heard on Tuesday for a major wind turbine development on the edge of Exmoor which protestors claim could ruin the face of the countryside.

The nine-turbine development, proposed for the Three Moors site near Knowstone, was rejected in October 2008, but was appealed by Airtricity Developments (UK) Ltd.

The turbines, which would be lit up at night, at the request of the Ministry of Defence, will measure up to 105metres, if approved.

The second application, submitted by Coronation Power Ltd, is for four 100-metre wind turbines at Bickham Moor, near Tiverton.

Planning inspector Philip Major first heard submissions from Knowstone resident, Richard Delf, one of the Two Moors anti-windfarm campaigners, who pleaded for the appeals to be rejected.

He said: "The turbines are far too close to the boundary of the national park.

"Exmoor is a national treasure and the epitome of a peaceful, tranquil, unchanged and timeless landscape — it must not be industralised."

Mr Delf alleged the plans were haphazard and far too close to neighbouring land.

He also argued the scheme was attempting to squeeze just two fewer turbines than the original proposal, on a vastly reduced plot of land.

Bob Perry, another campaigner, was concerned with the noise impact on residents, labelling measuring methods as "shambolic".

David Cocks QC, representing the Rural Exmoor Alliance, which comprises the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), the Exmoor Society and the Two Moors Campaign, claimed the development was an "imminent catastrophe."

He told the inquiry there was an unusual number of uncertainties in the case.

He asked: "How much noise will the turbines make? How much are we saving on emissions? The answers are no more than educated guess work."

He said the tiny impact the two farms would make on global warming was not a ground for refusal, but the inaccuracy of the developers "wildly exaggerated" claims were.

He also disputed the developer's carbon dioxide emission claims. He said professionals who had given noise evidence would not deviate from a common line.

Mr Cocks also alleged research conducted on the impact on the tourism industry was riddled with "assertion, gossip and hearsay."

Ailsa Wilson QC, counsel for Airtricity, stressed the need for such schemes to help Government reach its target of having 20% of energy provided by renewable sources, by 2010.

William Morris QC, for Coronation Power, also argued the two developments could "by no stretch of the imagination be called close to the moor."

He said national and international policy were clear on the importance of "seeking to introduce a low carbon economy."

A final decision on the applications will be made in the new year.