THE wind turbine article (front page, September 22) gave only limited space to those opposed. Milton Abbot Village Hall was full of vocal protesters. The same applied to the earlier Kelly/Meadwell Village Hall meeting. The total petitions showed about 350 against and seven for — 116 against was recorded in Milton Abbot alone with only one for.

The issues were clearly stated by all parties involved. The landowner, Mr P Hocking, of Tredown, wished to increase his farm income. Developers Murex Energy are in the business of installing turbines with willing landowners on what they perceive as suitable land for such turbines. Murex did not have any noise statistics of their own but had 'travelled to the continent to see and hear these turbines'. To say their suitability criteria is flawed would be the understatement of the year. They disputed the close distances to properties. They should have bought an Ordnance Survey map.

The proposed turbines are 66.7m/218ft 10ins high with a base diameter of 2.7m/8ft 10ins (manufacturer's figures) and organisers described the towers as 'slim'! That all electricity would be fed to the 'local grid' could not be explained as this is the 'national grid' to where all electricity produced is fed! That local factories such as 'Ambrosia' would be provided with and benefit from this green energy is preposterous. Nuclear-v-Tsunamis as mentioned occurs due to earthquakes or submarine landslides or volcanic eruptions (earth plate movements) which in this context is not relative to the UK.

There are several residential houses as close as 300-500m from the sites with others within 600m etc, including Meadwell  and Milton Abbot villages. There is a Bill in the House of Lords (Minimum Distances from Residential Premises) restricting distance to properties for this size of turbine to1,500m. The reason why this Bill is seen as needed is obvious. 

The local 'benefit'(sic) will include the loss of at least one high-end tourist business, several close B&Bs will be adversely affected, loss of property value, noise (serious in some cases) and/or visual disturbance for most of the residents in what is perceived as one of the most beautiful rural areas in West Devon with views over and which can be seen from Dartmoor, Brent Tor, Tamar Valley, etc.

If these wind turbines are needed, then put them where they cause minimum damage.

It surely is ludicrous to propose to erect them smack in-between properties, next to hamlets and villages and expect the local population to sit back and accept.

No wonder the community is united, vocal and fighting whilst supported by their local parish council!         

Magnus Pahlsson

Bradstone Grange

Bradstone

(not directly affected by these turbines)

Also Councillor, Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council