WEST Devon and Torridge Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate Geoffrey Cox met the developer last week to ?hear the other side? of a proposed wind farm near North Tawton.
Mr Cox met Renewable Energy Systems representative Rachel Ruffle and farmer Martin Tucker on his farm, Crooke Burnell, near North Tawton, to hear their case for the major wind farm development planned for Mr Tucker?s and several neighbouring farms.
Last month, Mr Cox spoke at a meeting of around 40 residents opposed to the Den Brook Wind Farm proposal. An application for planning permission is due to be submitted next April.
RES have installed a device to measure wind speed at the site and opponents say this will lead to the erection of ten 350-foot wind turbines in an area of around one square mile.
Mr Cox said: ?I was glad to respond to the request of Mr Tucker to visit his farm to inspect the site and to listen to the argument for the proposed wind farm.
?While I have great sympathy with farmers, who have experienced hell in recent years, wanting to find new ways of using their land, I am against the proliferation of wind turbines in West Devon. In general, I believe that they are not the right answer to the environmental challenges we face and they bring very little benefit to the local community, seriously endangering the uniquely unspoiled character of our countryside on which many local people depend for their livelihoods in tourism.?
?In this case, RES claim that the turbines would not be widely visible and would have positive benefits, for example, to the Dartmoor Railway, which would transport the materials needed in the construction phase and gain by the upgrading of the line.
?I am glad RES have pledged to inform and consult local residents at public meetings in late November. I would urge local people from Spreyton and the North Tawton area to attend these meetings and to subject the developer?s claims to very close scrutiny.?