Most accept that climate change exists and it is reasonable to call it a ‘Climate Emergency’. The many people who have contributed to the reports on this site, believe wind power has an important role, along with many other actions at an individual and corporate level, but we object to large wind turbines (up to 110m high) that produce noise pollution and damage the environment, being built close to the village.

They feel it is important that if we are to bring sustainable energy – including wind – to the village a better approach would be to work together on a plan of a suitable scale, which embraces all options. Many in this group would embrace being part of a Broadhempston Climate Action Group towards that end.

Those behind this response believe the main issue with the proposed development South Of Broadhempston (WS23) is that it is of a size that would result in a relatively low energy output, but cause significant adverse effects.

The problem with this proposal is we don’t know if it would support one wind turbine – or up to three – and that the village would have no control over the impact of the site on the community.

Nationally there is a groundswell of opinion against LARGE TURBINES being placed near rural communities.
Many of us think this is the case with ‘The Site South Of Broadhempston’ (Wind Site 23), which if it gets into the Teignbridge District Council Local Plan 2020-2040 may see the development of 1 -3, 110–120 metre tall, 2 megawatt turbines, spaced about 500 metres apart on the hill south of Broadhempston.
If adopted in the local plan, and subsequently built, a cluster of large turbines on this site would dominate the landscape with bright white blades, red lights at night, and bring significant noise pollution to the area. A comprehensive assessment of this site has been completed. The headline findings are below, and you can read the full report by CLICKING HERE.

Nationally there is also growing evidence that onshore wind farms – as oppsed to offshore – may not be the most effective solution. Cornwall County Council, an early adopter of wind farm development, is now taking account of the impact turbines will have on the landscape, as well as the quality of life and mental health and wellbeing of residents. Many councils are now creating new guidelines of wind turbine development, particularly with regard to proximity to residential properties and other sensitive buildings, such as schools.

Teignbridge, in common with other councils, is under pressure to increase the proportion of energy consumed locally that comes from renewable sources (wind and solar). The current proposal is the result of the Exeter University Study Of Wind Resource For Teignbridge, a desktop study that searched for potential sites for both wind and solar development. This study failed to grasp the nuance of Site 23 and its environs, most significantly its impact on the special area of conservation and landscape sensitivity. A major road would need to be built to the site for construction and maintenance purposes with devastating impact on ‘the historic network of venacular roads and fields’ found around Site 23.

Why do we need to think harder about it?

The current consultation aims to decided whether Site 23 should be adopted as a suitable site, within the latest review of the local plan, for development of a wind turbine cluster.

If Teignbridge Council decide that this is the case the government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that any development must be included in a local development plan to be considered for planning consent. However, if such a proposal is included in a local development plan then the NPPF states that planning consent is likely to be granted.

Should planning consent be granted it is impossible to reverse without judicial review (which is VERY expensive and rarely successful). This is our chance to influence the decision makers.

There is local opposition to the large turnbines on this site, but it needs to be vocalised.

Public consultation occurs ONLY via the submission of comments to the Teignbridge Council local plan online portal. HERE.

IF YOU WANT YOU VOICE HEARD YOU MUST COMMENT BEFORE JAN 24.

Come to the ‘Wind Farm Open House at The Monks next week

We have three walk-in ‘wind farm open house sessions’ at The Monks Retreat, where several people will be on hand to answer questions, and if necessary, help register your opposition if necessary. Please make time to come to one of these.
Thursday Jan 20 (16.00 – 20.00)
Friday Jan 21 (13.00 – 17.00)
Saturday Jan 22 (13.00 – 17.00)

Ten things to consider with regard to the Broadhempston windfarm

1. The effect on the landscape in a rural, tranquil area
Both Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council have published extensive assessments and reports on the character of the landscape in and around the proposed site.
Both councils state that all steps should be taken to avoid damage to the Landscape Amenity of the area through ill conceived development. They stress the importance of avoiding development which dominates and overshadows the landscape, stressing the importance of the concept of skyline preservation and intervisibility across a scenic landscape into other areas.

2. The effects of construction work to provide access to the site, the construction of the turbines and their infrastructure
The destruction of the historic vernacular road layout in providing site access flies in the face of declared policy. It would include the establishment of an extensive concrete turbine column infrastructure, equivalent to the width of the turbine radius, the construction of buildings and grid connection infrastructure, the construction of access roads, security fencing and lighting. In addition, defunct turbine blades will need replacing.

3. The effect on local residential amenity/quality of life
The major factor which causes concern about living in proximity to a wind farm is the level of noise generated by the turbines. Turbines of the size proposed function 24 hours a day, in wind ranges from Beaufort force 2 – 10, unless shut down for maintenance or other reasons.
Noise pollution is produced through ‘Gearbox Noise’ and ’Blade Swish’ and this increases with wind force, as does the ambient environmental noise (the sound of the wind in the trees). Turbines, such as those proposed, produce 45 – 50 decibels at relatively low wind speeds. Ten decibels over ambient noise levels disturbs sleep. The average is 30-35 ambient.

There are laws in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Europe and many other countries which set a limit on the minimum distance it is permissible to build turbines from a residential dwelling. Most of these state distances of at least 500m and some up to 1000m as lower limits. The nearest residential dwelling to the proposed site is actually under 50m (fifty) from the margin of the site and lies downwind in the prevailing winds from the South West. Houses to the South lie within 330m; houses to the East and North East lie within 400m and houses to the West, from the Houndhead/Vicarage Cross area past Well House to No Place Hill, all lie within 400m metres. In other words well below most internationally acceptable limits and therefore likely to experience considerable noise from a wind farm development, potentially 24 hours a day. (*All of the distances to housing listed are from the edges of the site.)

4. The effects on the local ecology and biodiversity
Concerns are regularly expressed about the effect of wind farms on local flora and fauna. There are concerns about vulnerable species eg. birds such as the Cirl Bunting, Whin Chats, Skylarks, Willow Tits and Barn Owls, which have been seen in the area.
The impact on local bat populations is also of concern: The site lies within the Landscape Connectivity Zone of the South Hams Special Area for Conservation. South Devon is the biggest stronghold in the world of the rare Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bats. Conservation Flyways and verified Maternal Roosts of the bat encircle the proposed site.

5. The effects on the local Heritage Assets (historic buildings and sites)
The site is encircled by heritage assets in the form of Listed Buildings and Structures, as well as Conservation Areas eg. Broadhempston and Denbury. The impact of new developments, such as wind farms, is strictly regulated with respect to their impact on heritage buildings and their environs.
The proposed site WS23 lies in close proximity (nearest 300 – 400 metres) to 2 scheduled ancient monuments, 3 Grade 1 listed buildings, a Grade 2* listed building and over 100 Grade 2 listed buildings and structures. It is also close to the Broadhempston Conservation Area.

6. The effects on road safety
The Teignbridge Local Plan review 2020 – 2040 states that:
‘When in close proximity to highways, turbines should wherever possible be located away from junctions, tight bends and crossings.’
The site is surrounded by single track roads with passing places which carry regular traffic to and from Broadhempston and surrounding hamlets and in particular is adjacent to several sharp bends eg. Lower Well and offset junctions eg. Houndhead/Vicarage Cross. This type of road have some of the highest figures for road traffic incidents per mile. Large turbines on the adjacent hill tops within 400 metres could be a distraction for motorists and could compromise road safety.

7. The effects on television reception in Broadhempston
The Teignbridge Local Plan review 2020 – 2040 states that:
‘Wherever possible the siting of wind turbines should avoid radio and microwave signal corridors and impacts upon domestic TV and radio reception.’
The proposed site lies in direct line between the Beacon Hill Microwave TV Tower and Broadhempston Village and it is likely that residents will experience interference with digital TV and radio signals. Turbines may cause ‘scattering’ and ‘multipathing’ of signals, causing distortion and fading of reception. This is undesirable given that some Broadhempston residents already experience poor TV and radio signals.

8. The effects on aviation
‘The AmBrook Valley and Slopes’ area is used for low level flying exercises by MOD aircraft. A wind farm development would represent a significant hazard to such activity. We have contacted the MOD for their opinions re the development of the wind farm at WS23.

9. Further site development rather than restoration likely

Promised restoration of the site at the end of the consent period is likely to be a condition of planning consent.  However, the  ‘restoration’ of the site is less likely than a future planning application to ‘repower’ the site.. There has been precedent set at other sites where the presence of an established wind site has been used to argue in favour of granting further planning consent for ‘repowering’ the site, with even bigger turbines and clusters, at the end of the planning consent period, rather than dismantling the site and restoring it to its original status.

The disruption of the site also includes building massive concrete foundations, often as wide as the span of the turbine blades on top of broad access roads and maintenance buildings, security fences and lights.

10. There are better sites

There are sites, closer to trunks roads, which experience levels of noise pollution from traffic as to render any noise polution from a wind turbine site irrelevant,. They would also provide easy access for construction and maintenance without the need for destruction of the landscape. The site at Broadhempston has an estimated wind speed of 6.1 m/s, which is one of the lowest of the identified sites.

There are many more reasons contained in the full report.
The full report can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE ACT NOW!