THE public inquiry into whether wind turbines can be sited at Yelland Farm near Okehampton gets underway in just five days. West Coast Energy is appealing against the earlier refusal of planning permission to build three wind turbines on the land near the northern tip of Dartmoor. Opponents of the proposal held a meeting on Tuesday night to give the public the chance to hear why they believe the scheme would have a devastating effect on the area. Residents, who formed the ODAT group (Okehampton and Dartmoor Against Turbines) to oppose the proposals, say the turbines would be a blot on the landscape and would damage tourism. They will be among those objecting to the scheme at the inquiry, along with Dartmoor Preservation Association, Dartmoor Tourist Association and local holiday business the Manor House Hotel. West Coast Energy says its scheme would make an important contribution towards the target for Devon identified by Regen SW that 151MW of energy should be produced from renewable sources by 2010. The public inquiry is due to get underway in the Charter Hall at 10am on Tuesday (June 20) and the hearing is due to be completed on June 28. A special evening meeting has been arranged for Thursday, June 22 in the hall between 7pm and 10pm. The inquiry is also expected to include site visits.
