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

More than 50 people filled the hall to discuss the proposed 189ft high wind turbine at Cardwell Farm, Longcross.

The meeting was called by Milton Abbot Grouped Parish Council to discuss the proposal, giving local residents a final chance to voice their concerns and make their views known.

Acting parish clerk Howard Asbridge underlined that the meeting gave an opportunity for people to express their views but that it was a parish council meeting rather than a public meeting.

Mr and Mrs Alford, through Planex Consulting Ltd, have applied to West Devon Borough Council for the erection of a single wind turbine, on their land at Cardwell Farm, together with a new access track, turbine foundation and hardstanding area and other works ancillary to the main development.

The proposal was the subject of a pre-application consultation during 2014 that included a public meeting in Milton Abbot on December 11, attended by more than 70 people, during which there was a unanimous show of hands against the proposal.

Concerns raised last week included the impact of noise to nearby residents, the visual impact the turbine could have and the effect on wildlife.

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 (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). 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.

Dr Gary Vanstone, chairman of the action group MABRAKE, said: 'This ridge between Lamerton and Lifton is the highest part between Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor, hence the reason they want to put wind turbines on it, but it will make the turbines very visible from a long distance.

'Clearly what is going to happen, if we allow it, is we are going to have a range of turbines along this ridge, very visible from large parts of Dartmoor and the area we live in. Do we really want that to happen? Does this council really want this to happen? Do they feel the residents they serve want that to happen? I suggest not!'

Mrs Alford was in attendance at the meeting and addressed concerns. In regards to the noise issue, she said: 'When we started this project two years ago X29 was the model of the turbine that was on the market at the time. That has now been replaced with X35. We do intend to use the X35 which is two metres higher but quieter and a more efficient model.'

The Planex consultant, 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.

When the public session ended, councillors discussed the issue and voted on whether to support or reject the application.

Cllr Magnus Pahlsson said the council's response should reflect that of the residents: 'There has been an overwhelming response from the community and we need to represent the community.'

Cllr Chris Beighton said: 'The main point is the overwhelming negative response from the floor which we are meant to represent and that is what we should do.

'If the overwhelming view of the community is that it should not go ahead then we should reflect that.'

In determining its views on the proposal, the parish council considered not only the views of local residents, but those of relevant professionals made on behalf of various statutory bodies, as well as information provided by consultants engaged by the applicant.

The parish council objected to the development proposed, for reasons including: The turbine would be visible from Brentor Church; the proximity of the turbine to Castle Park Camp Hilltop enclosure would be harmful to the sympathetic rural context of the agricultural site; and the separation distance between all parts of the turbine and some of the nearest hedgerows is inadequate, according to guidance provided by Natural England in its Technical Information Note.

• Views on the turbine are being accepted by West Devon Borough Council until Friday, June 26.