OPPONENTS of a plan for a large wind turbine at Manns Newton Farm on the ridge directly opposite Coldridge gathered at the farm entrance on Wednesday to make their feelings known to a Planning Inspector.

In April 2013 Murex Energy Limited, through their agent, Peter Wonnacott of Drawfun Ltd, applied for planning permission to Mid Devon District Council to erect a 500KW wind turbine with a maximum hub height of 50m and a maximum tip height of 77m with associated works and formation of access track on land at NGR 268849 104721 (Manns Newton Farm) Zeal Monachorum, Devon, under Mid Devon District Council Planning Application Reference 13/00541/FULL.

On November 21, 2013 Mid Devon District Council refused the application on the following grounds:

1. In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, by reason of its location, height, scale and appearance, is considered to have an unacceptable and detrimental landscape and visual impact.

The proposed wind turbine will form a substantial vertical structure within the landscape which would have a significant harmful effect on the visual amenities and character of the surrounding landscape.

It is recognised that the visual impact of the turbine, and its effect on the landscape, would be moderated within some long distance views however, even from some viewing points, at five kilometres distance the proposed turbine (standing 77 metres to tip) would form an overly dominating and negative visual feature to the detriment of public amenity and environmental quality in the area.

In terms of balancing the harmful impact to the landscape character and visual qualities of the area against the public benefits associated with the application scheme, it is the view of the Local Planning Authority that the harm that would be caused to the landscape character and to the visual amenities of the area (and the other impacts as referred) outweigh the public benefits, and therefore it is considered that the application scheme is contrary to Policies COR2 and COR5 of the Mid Devon Core Strategy (Local Plan Part I) Policies DM1, DM2 and DM5 of the Local Plan Part 3 (Development Management Policies) and Government policy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

2. In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority it is considered that the application scheme because of its height, scale and massing would result in harm to the setting of a number of listed buildings in the vicinity of the proposed turbine.

In terms of balancing the harmful impacts to the heritage assets within the vicinity of the proposed turbine against the public benefits, it is the view of the Local Planning Authority that the harm that would be caused to the setting of the heritage assets (and the other impacts as referred) outweigh the public benefits, and therefore it is considered that the application scheme is contrary to Policies COR2 and COR5 of the Mid Devon Core Strategy (Local Plan

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Part I ), Policies DM5 and DM27 of the Local Plan Part 3 (Development Management Policies) and Government policy as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

APPEAL

An Appeal was accepted by the Planning Inspectorate on January 2, 2014.

The appeal is to be heard by written representations, meaning that the decision will be made by a single planning inspector following a site visit, the visit which took place on Wednesday, January 14.

Taw Turbine Action Group made a 35-page submission to the Planning Inspectorate on February 5, 2014, supporting Mid Devon's decision.

A spokesman for the Action Group said: "We consider that the limited benefits of this proposal are far outweighed by the harm to landscape and visual impact including cumulative impact with other wind turbine schemes including Coldridge Conservation area Heritage Assets, especially St Matthew's Church, Coldridge and Woodhay (Little Cutland) Residential amenity, especially for the present and future occupants of West Newton and Woodhay (Little Cutland)."

The group also believed that tourism and related employment would be badly affected if the turbine was approved.

The spokesman continued: "Since this submission, a similar size (77m high) turbine has been erected at Heywoods Farm, Bondleigh (adjacent to the A3124 south of Winkleigh) and is known to be visible on the horizon at distances in excess of 10 miles to the west."

He continued: "If this appeal is allowed, the turbine at Manns Newton, being on high ground, will dominate the landscape over a huge area.

"As a guide, the landmark telecoms mast at Farley's Grave is at about the same elevation on Newton Ridge and is less than a third of the height of the proposed wind turbine."

PROTESTORS

About 40 campaigners against the proposed turbine stood at the entrance to Manns Newton Farm prior to the arrival of the appointed Planning Inspector, Alwyn Nixon, who spoke to those gathered there after his arrival.

Also present were representatives of Murex, a representative from Mid Devon District Council and the applicants.

Local resident Jamie Inglis, of Coldridge, said that the proposed turbine was "too high" and Kushuma Holyoak of West Leigh, said: "My house faces the proposed turbine."

She added: "It will ruin our homes."

Mr and Mrs Vigurs, who lived locally, said: "We are worried about the noise from the turbine.

"About two years ago when the landowners were drying grain they had a tractor running loudly all night which kept all the local residents awake.

"I think the turbine will make a similar noise and we are unable to install double glazing because our homes are Listed.

ALIEN PRESENCE

"The turbine is too high and it will be a daunting, alien presence on the landscape."

The Inspector, when addressing the protestors, said he would be visiting the location where it is proposed the turbine is placed and then homes which had requested visits.

The Inspector will then form a judgement about the plan, which will then be published.

One of the opponents said: "Please bear in mind that if this turbine is allowed it is likely that the screening applications for two more machines in close proximity to this will become full applications - eg a potential wind farm."

• Do you have a view about the proposed wind turbine at Manns Newton Farm? Email a letter, suitable for publication, to: [email protected]">[email protected] .