MABRAKE – Milton Abbot, BRadstone And KElly Action group.

I’m pleased to report that a large number of objectors attended the Lifton Parish Council meeting held last Thursday 27th February 2014 when the Ridgecombe Farm pre-application was discussed.

During an hour long discussion many points were raised including the fact that some 20 families live within 1/2 mile, the site is the highest point in the parish and this proposed turbine will be clearly be seen for miles around. Many other relevant points were made including the fact that some relatively close residents had not been notified but as this was only a screening application this could be expected.

Following the open meeting the Councillors voted unanimously in favour of recommending that an Environmental Impact Assessment be carried out and this decision was forwarded to the Planning Department of WDBC.

The Council also responded to Aardvarks letter pointing out that a very strong protest against the proposal had been shown at the Councils meeting.

The WDBC Planning Committee voted unanimously to refuse the Wind Turbine application for Beckwell Farm this morning (4th March 2014).

Bob Baldwin (Milton Ford Councillor), Howard Asbridge (MAGPC) and Dr Gary Vanstone (Mabrake) all spoke passionately on the value of the surrounding landscape and Heritage sites most importantly the fact that Dartmoor National Park, the Landscape Officer, MAGPC, Kelly Parish Meeting and Mabrake all objected to the proposal along with many individual objectors.  One Councillor raised this very point and asked why the Planning Officer had, despite the objections, still recommended conditional acceptance  and the reply given was that it had been a very close call.

Several other Councillors spoke and all agreed that the value of the West Devon landscape character should not be put at risk by a proposal to reduce electricity costs on one farm even though they had some sympathy with the farming comunity over rising energy costs.

It is expected, but not confirmed at this time, that the applicant will appeal against this decision.

Finally well done to the Mabrake supporters – all twelve of you who attended the meeting and showed the Planning Committee that we do care about our local countryside!