AN application to erect two wind turbines in the Okehampton area has sparked fury among residents living nearby.

Planning consent for the turbines — one at Tanners Hill at Thorndon Cross and one on the ridge of Bowerland Road near Meldon is being sought by West Devon farmers Phil and Mandi Heard, who are keen to source new ways of generating power.

But Jill Bozier, who lives directly between both sites, is concerned a precedent would be set if the applications are approved.

Ms Bozier said: 'It is my view that farmers, who generally own a lot of land, have a responsibility as custodians of the countryside to embrace and protect it. They should not be allowed to scar it with inappropriate development.

'People come to this area because of the scenery, to walk, to play golf, cycle, ride horses, bird-watch and that tourism income is vital for the town and local businesses.

'It is purely about money and government targets. Wind is intermittent and therefore unreliable. Some farmers do not rely on tourism so it makes little odds to them but Okehampton and its surrounding villages rely heavily on tourism income.'

Thorndon Cross residents Richard and Avril Leonard said: 'We really thought we had seen the last of this lunacy. There are now so many more efficient ways of generating renewable energy without desecrating our beautiful country.'

Sourton Parish Council is to hold a public meeting to discuss the application on Monday, June 13 at 7.30pm in Sourton Parish Hall.

The application for each site is for a single 50kw turbine, with a hub height of 24.6 metres and blade tip height of 34.2 metres. The turbines will feed electricity back into the national grid.

Phil Heard, who is a trainee member of the Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group and farms in the area, said: 'Fossil fuels aren't going to last forever, and we need to start thinking about other ways to generate energy.

'Most of the energy generated in the South West is from nuclear energy, but wind energy is a good way to produce clean electricity. The feed-in tariffs will ultimately decide whether these small scale sources of renewable energy are viable or not.

'We feel we have proposed a couple of good sites for the turbines, and also feel that because these sites are in viewing distance of the National Park, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be allowed to try and create renewable energy.'

In a supporting statement for the application, a report by Pineapple Rural Ltd states that if successful, the development would allow Mr Heard to offer the North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Group a long-term lease on his land for a peppercorn rate. The report states the applicant has also committed to re-grant the Dartmoor National Park access to a footpath around Meldon Reservoir should the application be successful, as the income generated by the turbine would pay for path maintenance.

West Devon Borough Council's planning department this week confirmed that the applications are currently in the consultation process, with the consultation deadline June 23. The application will go before the planning committee in the near future.

The turbine applications can be looked at in full by visiting http://www.westdevon.gov.uk">www.westdevon.gov.uk under planning applications 01565/2011 and 01566/2011.

The controversy comes just a week after the Campaign for Rural England raised concerns over scoping applications for solar farms in the region. See page 3.