South West: Putting the wind up the council

Chris Rogers BBC South West Political Editor

It has been the dream of environmentalists for years ... Free electricity from the wind.

No mess, no pollution, goes the argument, and we can get rid of those nasty, dirty, coal-fired, oil-fired and nuclear power stations.

But there are no simple solutions to energy problems.

In the South West, Cornwall has pioneered a number of highly visible wind farms, their ranks of tall white turbines dutifully turning in the regular wind from the sea.

But those who live near them complain of constant machinery noise and the annoying flicker as the blades' long shadows scan the surrounding landscape.

The turbines will be a first for Devon

Devon's councils have been far more reluctant. The first scheme at Bradworthy in West Devon got the go-ahead in August 2003.

That was only because the government's Planning Inspectorate over-ruled Torridge Council's continued opposition.

The protests are spreading, and the turbines are generating more anger than electricity.

In Somerset, the small village of Cucklington has few amenities for its 180 inhabitants, but there is compensation in their village location.

Thomas Hardy country

The meandering collection of soft stone houses and cottages has a stunning view overlooking the Blackmoor Vale, made famous by Thomas Hardy in his best-loved novels, like Tess of the D'Urbevilles and the Mayor of Casterbridge.

Hardy himself called the Vale a world constructed on a smaller and more delicate scale.

That is why the villagers are up in arms at the prospect of two giant wind turbines on a nearby hill, proposed by the green energy firm Ecotricity, with the support of South Somerset District Council.

Each turbine would stretch more than 300 feet into the air, twice the height of the Cornish examples, six times the height of the local church tower and nearly as high as the spire of Salisbury Cathedral.

The blades would sweep an acre of sky and produce a maximum of 2 Mw of electricity, but will be visible for more than 15 miles.

"They'll destroy the landscape", says local artist Angela Grant.

"I couldn't believe such giant industrial structures could be imposed upon us", adds another villager, Lachlan Fraser.

Council support for turbines

The local council, however, feel they have a government imposed duty to encourage renewable energy and have entered into a partnership with Ecotricity to promote the wind turbines.

Cucklington protestors don't see how the council can remain an impartial planning authority and take proper account of their views.

They have formed a Save The Vale action group, with an impressive website, regular meetings and a determination to force the council to consider and adopt other renewable energy sources that won't destroy the landscape.

They will have to move fast.

The government has just issued a new planning statement designed to ease the path of renewable energy developments.

Turbines will be more difficult to oppose.

"It's another case of country folk being pushed to one side by a flawed government proposal", says Lachlan Fraser.

"Future generations won't thank them", warns Angela Grant.

The yeomen and women of Somerset have spoken.

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