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fighting proposals to site a new wind farm in North Devon are celebrating after plans to build 15 turbines were withdrawn.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.

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."