RESIDENTS of Iddesleigh parish turned out last week to learn more about the potential construction of a 44-metre wind turbine in the area.

Iddesleigh Parish Council held a special meeting in Iddesleigh Village Hall for members of the public to learn more about a planning application for the turbine at Coombe Farm.

The parish council organised the meeting to find out the views of parishioners so that it can respond to the application accordingly.

The proposed turbine would have a tip height of 44.5 metres, with a hub height of 30 metres and an estimated output of 225 kilowatts. Plans were on display, and the applicant Colin Illman was also present to answer questions and hear residents' views.

Penny Mills, chair of the Torridge group of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, was at the meeting to discuss wind turbine applications in the area.

She said: 'There were a lot of questions and comments from the residents. One person described Iddesleigh as "The Jewel in West Devon". One person explained how the beauty of Iddesleigh was that it had remained so unchanged and unspoilt for centuries, there was a high proportion of ancient listed buildings in the parish and that a large wind turbine would not fit in with this.

'Many people commented that this turbine was far too large, that it was clearly a commercial venture and it would ruin the area. People were concerned about noise and the impact on views to Dartmoor. 

'It was a good discussion and people asked very informed questions. The overwhelming majority in the room did not support the application, as the chairman of the parish council asked for a show of hands at the end of the meeting.'

The proposed turbine site, on permanent pasture land, is just within the boundary of West Devon Borough Council. Geoffrey Cox, MP for Torridge and West Devon, has written to the borough council, requesting it consult with residents of Torridge district who live near the proposed turbine site to ensure they remain fully informed of the planning situation.