PLANNING permission for a wind turbine near Highampton standing at more than 40 metres has been granted by West Devon Borough Council.

The application for the turbine at Keyethern Farm was granted on October 19. The proposal is for a single three bladed wind turbine with a blade tip height of 46.3 metres and a hub height of 36.6 metres. The farm is situated approximately 3.4 kilometres to the north west of Hatherleigh and three kilometres to the north east of Highampton.

Highampton Parish Council objected, because of the visual impact on the neighbouring countryside, the local airstrip near Sheepwash, and the environmental impact on bats.

In his report, planning officer Louis Dulling said: 'Special regard has been given to the representations including: ecology, tourism, visual impact and noise, but these were not considered to be overriding because these concerns have been fully assessed in the course of the application and are not found to be significantly detrimental to warrant refusal.'

The Campaign for Protection of Rural England expressed surprise at the application not going before the council's planning committee.

Penny Mills, chair of the Torridge group of CPRE said: 'The CPRE are shocked to see that the planning officer has granted permission for this one, without going to plans committee. 

'The fact that it was so large, at 46m, and that there had been local objections from residents and the parish council should have warranted that it is only fair and reasonable for this one to be decided by committee. We cannot understand this decision.'

A spokesperson for the council said:?'The officers concluded that the scheme was acceptable and complied with national and local planning policies. West Devon Borough Council has a strict scheme for delegation of planning powers and as the planning officer's recommendation was contrary to that of representations received, a request for delegation was sent to the local ward councillor.

'The ward councillor considered whether or not the application could be approved under delegated powers by the officer, or if it should go before committee for a decision.

'She agreed to a delegated approval.

To read the report in full, visit the West Devon Borough Council planning website, quoting 02861/2012.