I would like to comment on the wind turbine issue. Having read the planning application, I feel it is important for your readers to appreciate how massive the proposed turbines are. They would stand at over 80 metres from base to the tip of the blades. This is more than three times higher than a mature beech tree and as high as Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
The span of the blades is 62 metres — this being only two metres less than the wingspan of a Boeing 747 — a jumbo jet. These turbines are bigger than any turbine in Cornwall.
If it were suggested that they were to be placed in the Dartmoor National Park, I imagine there would be an outcry. What is so very different about situating them in a very beautiful and unique valley, highly populated with roe deer, badgers, barn owls etc?
It is naïve for us to jump on the 'green bandwagon', in this instance, to try to appease our consciences in our wasteful use of our energy resources. Far more effective would be to double-insulate our lofts, use public transport and fit energy-saving bulbs. But not many of us would do this, not when it might affect our pocket.
Mrs E Young
Great Haye, Lamerton
I WAS interested to read the lively debate (Letters, May 23) concerning the planning application for two wind turbines at Beech Farm. I should like to respond to two of your correspondents who commented on extracts from a letter I had written to West Devon's planning department in support of the application.
Ms Spicer suggested that I might have different views if my personal landscape was affected. I can honestly say that whenever I have seen wind turbines in this country or elsewhere in Europe, I have always felt that they added to the beauty of the farmed landscape rather than detracted from it. I should therefore be delighted if the view from my house included these elegant machines.
She also asked whether offshore wind farms would be more viable. I believe we must invest in all renewable energy technologies; however, it should be noted that due to the obvious logistical problems of constructing and maintaining wind farms offshore, the cost of electricity from such installations is about twice that produced by wind turbines on land.
I am not sure why Ian Minshull takes issue with me on the matter of subsidies, as I made no reference to subsidies.
I assume he is referring to the Government's use of the income generated by the Fossil Fuel Levy. This was originally a provision in the 1989 Energy Act to support the nuclear industry and the nuclear power has been the largest beneficiary of subsidies. The cost of supporting wind energy developments is less than £1 per year for the average domestic household.
Martin Quinn
West Devon Green Party
REGARDING positioning of wind turbines in Beech Farm area. I think it an excellent idea, the more wind turbines the better, we all need more electricity, 'especially without damaging the planet'.
I am particularly concerned, as I have many interests in Tavistock. I remember Bill Earl of Plymouth wrote about wind turbines for Tavistock, saying it wouldn't take many to supply the whole town, and that there were many surrounding areas that would be suitably unobtrusive. He even suggested they could be made to look like trees, in different colours, making it even better. What a good idea.
Trouble is, this part of the world always lags behind everybody else. So come on Devon, get cracking, and while you're about it get Tavistock market open on Sundays as well.
Jon Lendon
68 Cardinal Avenue, Plymouth
JUST a few thoughts on turbines: When I consider these magnificent machines I see very large lumps of steel, copper and concrete. (We don't mention the hydraulic and coolant oils).
I think of the ore being mined, somewhere on the other side of the world, and I think fossil fuel and pollution. It is smelted in the Far East and I remember the lots of pollution we had when we had steel works and the lots of fossil fuel used in the process.
It is then transported halfway round the world; more of the same thoughts.
Gravel raising and the production of cement has never been thought of as being a particularly green‚ occupation, lots of lovely greenhouse gasses‚ there.
At the end of their lives these machines will have to be disposed - perhaps they will have found a green way to do that by then. I doubt it.
So when you stand by these monuments to green‚ be smug for the right reasons. You have exported your pollution. But that's okay, it has gone to Jonnie Foreigner and it is he who has used up the fossil fuel, not you; very clever.
And what is just as good, is that you have more gravel pits in which to dump your waste, waste which you cannot be bothered to recycle.
Isn't green great?
Ian Minshull
Theale, Lamerton