Wind farm planning withdrawal a mixed blessing says Mike Treleaven

12.54.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 24th Jan 2005

The news that the application to build a wind farm at Goveton had been withdrawn was greeted with mixed feelings by Totnes Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, Mike Treleaven.

Speaking after the announcement he said:

'My feelings of relief that villagers concerns had been recognised by the withdrawal of the application were tempered by news that N-power intend to resubmit their plans. I attended meetings in the village and talked to local people and it is clear that the vast majority were overwhelmingly against the project, not only on aesthetic grounds, but the potential for noise pollution in an area where you can normally hear a pin drop. It is difficult to see how the new planning application will change their minds. In the meantime the residents are left in limbo and will have to re-submit any objections should new plans be submitted. This seems to me to be putting the community under a tremendous strain and will do nothing to either re-build relationships within the village or endear people to N-power and the wind turbine project.'

He continued:

' Increasing renewable energy production is essential to combat the threat of global warming and wind farms can make a contribution provided they are sited in the right place and have the support of the local community. This proposal failed on both counts.'