CAMPAIGNERS against a wind turbines proposal at Lamerton plan to launch a giant helium filled balloon into the skies today (Thursday) to highlight the ?blight? on the local landscape.
The Windfarm Lamerton Action Group will alert people to the ?size and industrial scale? of the controversial 230ft-high wind turbines being proposed for Beech Farm.
Planners are due to discuss the application for two wind turbines at a meeting next Tuesday (August 17) following a recommendation for refusal by officers.
A total of 101 letters of objection have been submitted and 116 letters of support.
Co-ordinator of the protest group Chris Burchell said: ?These wind turbines will soar up to 230ft above some of the most attractive scenery in West Devon.
?They will be seen from the historic Brentor Church which is about 1.5 miles away, Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.?
Resident Anthony Pope added: ?These turbines will cause a noise nuisance and blight the area. House values will drop and our tourist holiday lets will be affected, so we are raising the balloon to show everyone just how big they are.?
But applicant Carol Bradford said the scheme would be run as a local co-operative so the financial benefits stayed within the community.
She said: ?We have an awful lot of local support but those who are anti are so very vocal.
?We would welcome people here to find out more about the project.?
She said the turbines would produce enough energy to power 1,400 homes.
West Devon Council turned down a planning application for wind turbines on the same site last year. Although the structures are eleven metres lower, officers have recommended refusal because they feel it will still have a significant adverse impact on Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley area.