OPPONENTS, supporters and developers of a possible wind turbine to be sited near Tavistock met at Milton Abbot Parish Hall last Thursday.

More than 75 people filled the parish hall for the pre-application public consultation meeting to discuss a proposed wind turbine at Cardwell Farm, Longcross.

Mr and Mrs Alford, through Midland-based Planex Consulting Ltd, have applied to West Devon Borough Council for a scoping opinion for the erection of a single, 225kw wind turbine, on their land at Cardwell Farm. The proposed wind turbine would be 188 feet high.

Milton Abbot Group Parish Council called the pre-applicaton meeting as part of the planning process. Parish clerk Howard Asbridge said the meeting gave an opportunity to potential applicants to take on board concerns raised by residents and have the chance to reduce those concerns before they consider making a formal application to the council.

Mr Asbridge said the parish council was neutral on the issue at present but had called the meeting to facilitate discussions between developers and those opposing the scoping opinion.

Mr and Mrs Alford said the great majority of the output from the turbine would be going into the National Grid and this was 'necessary to provide an extra income stream for the farm'.

The Planex consultant, Alexis Tysler, said that the output of the turbine was required to contribute to the UK's legal obligations on renewable energy.

One person at the meeting said that the site was just 3km from the Dartmoor National Park boundary and is located close to the Tamar Valley AONB. The turbine, it was claimed, could obstruct views both to and from Brentor Church and could also overlook and be seen from many parts of the Lyd Valley, Chillaton and Lamerton.

It was also pointed out that rare Lesser Horseshoe Bats and Barn Owls inhabited the area and the impact on these would need to be fully studied before any full application is submitted.

Dr Gary Vanstone, chairman of MABRAKE — Milton Abbot, Bradstone and Kelly Action Group, said: 'There was a lot of anger expressed at the meeting about the impact on property values for those in the vicinity of the turbine as well as the impact on residents' quality of life.

'It was also felt that such a development would impact onto the tourist income for those running B&Bs and hotels in the area. Many would suffer to provide a benefit for one family.'

Julia Martin from Kelly said that the meeting was 'emotionally charged': 'When will the Government of this country wake up to the fact that their policies are having a devastating effect on our rural communities and now need updating?

'We who live in these communities are passionate about our landscape, that is why we choose to live in these rural areas, that is our reward for going without many of the comforts of urban life.'

Ms Tysler said that the life of the turbine was 25 years and that the land would be fully restored to its original state after the turbine was no longer used. The applicants confirmed they would be committed to restoring the area, including removing the substantial concrete foundations, and that money would be set aside for that purpose.

After the meeting Mr Asbridge said: 'The parish council hosted the meeting so people for or against could speak.

'There was a unanimous show of hands against the proposals. The parish council will consider the application at its meeting on January 7.'