I AM writing in support of the two recent applications for wind turbines by Okehampton College and the Heards because I believe it to be in keeping with the Government's micro-generation policy.

As a tourism provider, I do not believe that it would have a detrimental effect on the number of tourists visiting Okehampton, the Dartmoor area or the National Park. In fact, I believe that tourists like 'Green Tourism' and like to see wind turbines as a sign that we are taking a responsible approach to generating our electricity locally.

I would point out that there are already a number of mobile telephone and TV masts around the perimeter of the Park and also a private wind turbine actually on Dartmoor next to the army camp, which has been there for some years and blends happily into the background, as indeed these turbines could.

With the recent increases in the cost of electricity by 21.40% I can quite understand why the college and Mr Heard would wish to reduce and/or offset their huge electricity costs and improve their carbon footprint according to Government guidelines. We are all being urged to do this.

If we do not embrace micro-generation, then at some future stage we are likely to either have larger electricity generating projects foisted on us by the Government or, worse still, periods where we have enforced blackouts because of the energy gaps.

This is about our children's future and the security of their energy supplies and they generally support generation through renewable sources.

The students at Okehampton College are most dismayed that their application to site turbines has been turned down and I hope that they start to voice their dismay a little more loudly and appeal the decision taken by the older but maybe not so wise generation in West Devon.

John Bickley

Upcott House B&B

Upcott Hill

Okehampton