WHAT an odd headline! 'Turbine plan is closest yet to town' (May 1). The image conjured up is of a triffid that could swoop down into the Meadows. Nothing in the article suggests that the proposed wind turbine will be visible from Tavistock, and if it can, it would be very far off. While residents of Lamerton (including Geoffrey Cox with his direct line to the anti-wind, all powerful, Mr Pickles) are entitled to views about the visual impact, I don't see how that threatens the town. Personally, seeing wind turbines does not spoil my enjoyment of the Devon landscape. Research has shown that there is no adverse impact on tourism. I want to live in a community that generates as much of its own energy locally as possible, without adding to the damage already caused by fossil fuels. I am waiting to hear from a politician showing some leadership on this. I suspect that other letters on this issue will include previous correspondents who use muddled schoolboy science to deny human impact on climate change. Could I urge your readers to go direct to more authoritative sources on this — for example Exeter University has free online course. Christine Harbottle Deer Park Lane Tavistock WHEN are we ever going to learn in this country that wind turbines do not and cannot ever achieve the object of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Indeed there is accumulating evidence that they have to be backed up for between 70 and 80 percent of the time by very expensive mostly fossil-based conventional generation, which produces more carbon dioxide. The demand for energy and the availability of wind is seldom in balance, and the technical processes needed to bridge the difference are complex and costly, and the lunatic levels of subsidy being paid in an attempt to square the circle have added hugely to the bills paid by the consumer. The green lobby has so far successfully frustrated the development of nuclear power in this country, using climate change arguments (increasingly being found to rest on unsound and incomplete science) and irrational fear of nuclear catastrophe (significantly less than 60 years' practical experience and modern technology justifies). As a result, we are now falling behind most of the developed world and indeed of the developing world in benefitting from this safest, cleanest and cheapest source of power, and indeed it is fair to say that the duration and extent of our efforts to recover from the recession are hampered by the fact our power supplies are unnecessarily high in relation to many of our world competitors. Geoffrey M Stowell The Down Bere Alston THANK you for the well balanced article you featured last week on the Lamerton wind turbine consultation. Many residents of the village are appalled at the prospect of this giant 250ft turbine being put up in their village. It will dominate the area, reduce house values and wreck the visual amenity of this delightful area, as pointed out by Geoffrey Cox MP. This development would have an unacceptable impact upon the setting and enjoyment of the dozens of listed buildings surrounding Lamerton. Under WIFLAG (Wind Farm Lamerton Action Group) we fought off two applications for similar turbines in Lamerton some 15 years ago, even going as far as an appeal heard at a public inquiry at Tavistock Town Hall. One of the inspector's points was that the Lamerton area is one of great landscape value (designated as an Area of Great Landscape Value AGLV), and that wind turbines would destroy this. The turbines were refused. There will be a public meeting at Lamerton Village Hall at 7.30 on Friday, May 9, where concerned residents can learn more about this misguided proposal and air their concerns. More information may be found on http://www.lasag.org">www.lasag.org Chris Burchell Chair Lamerton Anti-Turbine Committee THE proposed location for the Lamerton wind turbine is on a hill overlooking and within 650 metres of the Grade II* Listed St Peter's Church, and about 700 metres from the centre of the village. The turbine, at 74 metres high, will be visible throughout the village and dominate, indeed dwarf, the setting of St Peter's Church. Visually intrusive, it will blight the oft described 'desirable' village of Lamerton and the lives of its some 800 souls. Bev Austin Lamerton