Mr M.P.Kelly

Planning Manager

North Devon District Council

Civic Centre

Barnstaple

Devon, EX31 1EA

Dear Mr Kelly,

Re: Planning application reference 43272 for 9 x 101m (max) wind turbines at Batsworthy Cross.

I wish to OBJECT to this planning application for the following reasons:-

If permitted, this development would be a gross, unwarranted, industrial intrusion into the countryside and valuable landscapes and the lives of their inhabitants and visitors. The impact of these massive structures would extend over a vast area of Devon with a severe detrimental effect on landscapes and their character including listed buildings and their settings and protected landscapes. This application is for a site which is close to the Exmoor National Park and together with other existing applications would have a disastrous cumulative impact.

Many local farming businesses and other inhabitants of this area have diversified into tourism and country sports enterprises in order to survive. This planning application would badly damage these businesses which are essential to the local economy. 

The site is within an undulating landscape and immediately adjacent to the A361.  The dangers of driver distraction from these huge, vertical, moving structures in the landscape are real.  Ice throw or catastrophic failure in high winds could also cause a major incident on this primary route into this important tourist area.

Wind turbines have a devastating effect on wildlife, especially the red and amber listed species known to nest and fly in the area.  If permitted, this development would cause irreparable damage to the rich ecology of this area including to the rare Culm grasslands.

Wind turbines produce noise including low and high frequency noise transmitted through the air and the ground. There is mounting evidence that noise from wind turbines can affect health as can light flicker.

By introducing giant industrial structures into a rural landscape; by introducing light pollution; by destroying the peace and tranquility of the area; and by destroying the ecology,  this proposal would ruin local businesses and have a negative impact on residential amenity leading to severely depressed property prices and the downturn of the prosperity of this unique region of Devon while delivering no benefits to it. 

This development would destroy the entitlement of residents to the peaceful enjoyment of their property. (Declaration of Human Rights Article 1 and Article 8)

The minute CO2 emissions savings estimated to be made from this industrial development could be better achieved through energy conservation and renewable energy schemes that would stimulate a rural environment and economy and not destroy it.

Yours sincerely

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