WE are writing to express our concern over the proposed erection by Murex Energy Ltd of a wind turbine at Wreys Barton, Stowford and the way it is apparently being dealt with by West Devon Council. On September 9 we attended a meeting in Stowford Village Hall where Murex outlined its plans for a 50 metre tower (77 metre to rotor tip) wind turbine rated at 500Kw. We understand that it has applied to West Devon Council for a screening opinion as to whether an environmental report or an environmental impact assessment is required by the council. We would point out that Government guidance for a turbine of 50 metres or more is that one or other of these should be produced. There appears to be some concern over lack of consultation with, and accurate information provided to, local parish councils and residents. For example, when was this request, which has to be answered within three weeks, received by the council, Was any attempt made to consult locally? Has the council responded confirming the need for an EIS? If so, has it been asked for and provided a scoping opinion which has to be replied to within five weeks and has a copy of this been provided to the public? At this meeting Murex accepted that insufficient consultation by itself had taken place with residents and agreed to extend its consultation period to the end of September. The company confirmed that the turbine could be rated to produce 990Kw but would be capped at a maximum of 500Kw. A reason given was reduced noise pollution. Interestingly no-one could say if one turbine rated at 990 Kw was noisier than two rated at 500Kw. Challenged that the capping at 500Kw was to capitalise on the much higher subsidy for turbines of 500Kw or less, the company did not deny it. Two of the main consequences of this capping are firstly, that the environmental impact is doubled as effectively twice as many turbines have to be built to achieve the same power generation and secondly, the power generated costs at least twice as much per Kw as it should. We would also draw to your attention the dissatisfaction expressed at the meeting with the planning department. We understand that a number of communications from Stowford Parish Council and others have not been responded to and the general opinion of those present was the department was a law unto itself and had little regard for those it served. Another disquieting issue was that, despite being invited to the meeting, nobody from the council attended. We would also point out that when searching the council's website using the term 'Wind turbines' it brings up a list of documents one of which is the 'Interim Planning Guidance for Prospective Developers'. Interestingly the document states that: 'Permission will only be granted if the developer has satisfactorily addressed the following on an individual case by case basis: The use of the most appropriate technology, measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on the amenities of the occupiers of nearby properties during the construction, operational lifespan and decommissioning of the equipment/infrastructure, and the provision for the protection, preservation, and/or mitigation for any features of strategic, cultural, agricultural, ecological, historic and/or archaeological importance, including landscape character.' The above would all appear to be in conflict with the issue of size and potential generation of both the existing and proposed turbines. It is interesting to note the written statement to parliament 'Local planning and onshore wind' by the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP of June 6 2013 and subsequent documents and statements giving more power to local communities to decide on these matters and in addition 'Calling In' and subsequently refusing many of the applications relating to wind turbines. Richard and Karen Alexander Lewdown THE frontpage headline on September 4 should be a wake up call to us all, but most of all to the West Devon borough councillors who have not stirred themselves to attend either the Lewdown meeting on September 1 or the Stowford meeting on September 9, both of which were full to overflowing.   Strong sentiment was expresed against the Murex proposed development in the area which would affect some of the most beautiful and traditional West Devon landscape across the Thrushel valley.     A new group called SALT (Stowford And Lewdown Turbine action group) has been set up and is fiercely opposed to the project.   If I was a councillor elected to serve his consituents, I would at this time be feeling most uncertain about my future chances of being re-elected. The feeling in Stowford village hall on Tuesday was that people were being abandoned by their representatives and purposefully ignored by the West Devon planning officers and committee.   Murex did on this occasion raise their heads above the parapet and attend the meeting. Their proposals and responses to questions met with vigorous opposition despite the offer of a bigger than usual bribe by way of a donation to the community.   People locally obviously do not want to live in a blighted landscape such as those seen in Cornwall.   It was agreed by those in attendance that global warming had to be met with green policies but that the haphazard spread of wind turbines was not the answer, especially not in the Stowford/Lewdown area and hopefully nowhere in West Devon. Mike Harding Stowford Old Rectory Lewdown