BT looks to build 410ft turbines
TELECOMS giant BT is considering plans to build one of the region's tallest wind farms in an environmentally "sensitive" coastal area of the Westcountry, critics claim.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England has expressed its "concern" that the firm is looking to erect three 410ft (125m) tall turbines overlooking the Bristol Channel at Greater Shelfin Farm near Ilfracombe, North Devon. BT has submitted a "scoping" study to North Devon Council and could apply for planning consent by the end of the year.
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As one of the biggest consumers of electricity in the country, the telecoms firm is anxious to generate power from renewable sources to reduce its carbon footprint.
BT said the wind turbines would produce 18,000 megawatt (MW) hours of electricity a year, enough to power 4,100 homes.
In 2007, it announced it wanted to build between three and six turbines up to 262ft (80m) tall at its Earth Station at Goonhilly on The Lizard peninsula, its first foray into wind power generation in the Westcountry.
By 2016, the company wants to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 per cent compared to 1996 levels.
But opposition to the North Devon scheme is already mounting. Bob Barfoot, chairman of the North Devon branch of the CPRE, said the proposed development was "pretty close" to the 22 turbines to be erected next year at Fullabrook Down, which would be England's biggest wind farm to date.
He added: "We cannot object, or not until we see an application, but there are a number of things they have got wrong with the scoping report. Our main concern is that it is in coastal conservation area and close to Ilfracombe. So we are concerned, but we cannot do anything until we see the application."
Bill Wilson, owner of the nearby Mullacott Cross Caravan Park, said the turbines would be "a huge blot on the landscape" that spoiled the coastal views tourists came to North Devon for.
Lawrence Wright, from Campscott Farm, said: "These enormous wind turbines would be a disaster. If this becomes an industrial wasteland, it will destroy our main attraction without producing any local jobs or benefit to the local economy."
Devon has largely resisted the march of the wind farm developers, chiefly because around 50 per cent of the county's land mass boasts some form of protected status.
But Mr Barfoot said a surge in applications might follow a public inquiry in South Molton into plans for two wind farms in Devon, which could prove nationally influential in setting a precedent on noise pollution.
He went on: "Developers are looking all over North Devon, and they have been for some time. There will be more in North Devon.
"I think a number of developers are waiting to see what happens in the public inquiry in South Molton so they will get guidelines on what is and what is not acceptable. Developers always seem to pick the most sensitive place, whether or not that is deliberate I don't know."
BT's planned turbines in North Devon would just be one metre shorter than the 20 monoliths proposed for just south of Davidstow airfield, North Cornwall, which would be the tallest turbines in Devon and Cornwall. Last month, the plan was rejected by the Cornwall Council's east sub area planning committee.
Jason Mann, a BT spokesman, which owns land close to the proposed site, said: "We have a strong reputation as an environmentally aware company. Any application would be in keeping with that. We would want to produce something that is as efficient as possible and as in keeping as is possible with the local environment."
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by Charles Henry 1945-(diuturnity), Somersetshire
Thursday, December 17 2009, 5:20PM
“:| This is my considered, studied, final opinion Theo. . Judging by the Climate Summit; if you and Will are right; and I'm not saying you are NOT; if this world doesn't hot foot it RIGHT NOW, into nuclear power generation, then man has no future on this planet. . Best Charles”
by Theo H (Red,Green and unashamedly Urban), Lifton
Thursday, December 17 2009, 4:45PM
“May the Curse of the Ancient Environmentalist be upon you.
May the Three Armed Monster invade your land.
Ye who wantonly sow ye carbon to the winds.”
by Freethinker, Cornwall
Thursday, December 17 2009, 1:42PM
“Theo, you really are turning into a green fascist. The Nazi's would of embrassed you. They to used enviromentalism to brainwash people with. Green fascism and Communism is making a comeback . Keep your green ideologies to yourself. Freethinker”
by Theo H (Red, Green, Irish and Urban), Lifton
Thursday, December 17 2009, 1:14PM
“Oh for heaven's sake!
Do stop this thing about "not closing fossil-fueled power stations".
The reason for turbines is to reduce fossil fuel use.Which they do.
But where,in these posts of displeasure against turbines, are those who can say they have seriously and significantly lowered their own carbon footprint?”
by Ivan, Ilfracombe
Thursday, December 17 2009, 8:44AM
“Sorry for spelling mistakes in last posting!!!”
by Ivan, Ilfracombe
Thursday, December 17 2009, 8:38AM
“Further to my posting yesterday I would like to give further info on the extent of the government deception, Apparently The Hayes Mackenzie report commissioned by the government revealed that the 1996 noise limit of 43 decibel was too high and noise levels as low as 33 decibels could be injurious to health, the noise of the turbines being described by some as similar to "a helicopter that never arrives"
The goverment is guilty of a delibrate cover up in surpressing much of the report.
What I suggest is that anyone who is concerned (and alot of us should be) is that they write to BT stating that they should have full knowledge and be aware of the Hayes Mckenzie report and if they continue to deveope these Windfarms, they could risk prosecution if their turbines produce excessive noise. I would suggest copying your letters to your MP and the Environmental Health departments. I would also suggest involving a solicitor. I myself am not against Wind generation as long as it is far from areas of residential population. I believe Offshore in the Severn Estury combined with underwater turbines is the way forward. Also Microgeneration, I am looking towards installing solar panels and possibly air-source heat pump which could be very effective in our mild winter climate.”
by Ivan Leslie, Ilfracombe
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 10:52PM
“It appears that the government has deliberately surpressed information on the damaging effect of noise pollution from these massive turbines, which have caused all sorts of problems keeping people awake at night, and in some cases forcing people to move out of their own homes. These monstosities must be resisted at all costs.”
by viv, ilfracombe
Saturday, October 03 2009, 12:36PM
“i would think that the burnt out and falling down hotels in ilfracombe will, and have done more to put tourists off than the turbines will!
let us face the facts, we are running out of fosil fuel, if we don't act soon we will not have energy on tap. the cost is high at the moment but like with anything once it is established it will even out. we owe it to future generations to look forwards.”
by Reg, Portugal
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 10:30AM
“If you are a BT customer - leave them, if not - don't join them and don't patronise their shops online or in the high street. Voting with feet will surely win in the end? They must not be allowed at any cost to continue with these monstrosities at that location - or anywhere in the UK come to that.”
by Tim, Dartmouth
Monday, September 07 2009, 7:57PM
“Just as the buddhas in Afghanistan were destroyed, so the Taliban quangocrats are quite happy to ruin our environment in the pretence of saving it. Of course they are completely unaffected because they don't live anywhere near us, and future generations will be appalled at what they will have done to the beauty and peace of our countryside.
For the sake of what, may I ask? Denmark, which now claims to be generating 20% of its electricty (10% is nearer to the true mark), still hasn't closed one of its old power stations which were supposed to have become redundant.
We need a proper balanced policy, including nuclear and tidal power, instead of wasting our money in terms of vastly higher electricity charges on unproven benefits. What a pity our political masters don't have a fraction of their presentational skills in the art of planning, which is what much of long term government is about.”