Balloon to 'show turbine blight'

Plans for wind turbines on the site have already been rejected

Protesters fighting proposals for wind turbines plan to fly a giant yellow helium-filled balloon to highlight the "blight" on the landscape.

The two 230ft (70.1m) high turbines are proposed on land at Lamerton, near Tavistock in west Devon.

The Windfarm Lamerton Action Group plans to fly the 19ft (5.79m) long blimp on Thursday morning.

It says the balloon will "highlight the size and industrial scale of these controversial windmills".

'Noise nuisance'

Chris Burchell, who is co-ordinator of the 120-strong protest group, said: "These turbines will soar 230 feet above some of the most attractive scenery in west Devon.

"They will be seen from historic Brentor Church, which is about 1.5 miles (2.41km) away, and will be visible from the Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley area of natural beauty."

Local resident Anthony Pope said: "These industrial scale things will cause a noise nuisance and blight the area.

"House values will drop, and our tourist holiday lets will be affected, so we are raising the balloon to show everyone how big they are," he said.

Adverse impact

The balloon, which has been bought by the protest group, will be winched into the sky on land near the proposed site of the turbines.

Last year, West Devon Borough Council turned down a planning application for turbines on the same site.

It was refused on the grounds it would have a significant adverse impact on the Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley area of outstanding natural beauty.

They also said it would affect the setting of the grade one listed Brentor Church and would also affect the amenity of nearby homes.

The council's planning committee will consider another application on 17 August.