Guide to completing the form.

1. Click on the banner above
2. Hit [Continue on the first page]
3. Hit [Next] on the next page
4. Select [Wind energy sites] and click [Next] on the next page
5. Select [Broadhempston – WS23] on the dropdown
6. Complete all sections. (Please make the submission in your own words. There is guidance for each section below.)
7. Finish by adding your details. It’s a bit clunky at the end – so make sure it is submitted correctly. Take a note of your registration reference.

1. Ecology and landscape impact
Wind Site 23 is a beautiful, tranquil site which lies in rolling hills in continuity with the landscape of The South Hams and Dartmoor National Park. 

Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council acknowledge is it an area of ‘high landscape amenity’ and highly sensitive to the effects of Wind Turbine development on the landscape.   

It is also home to several protected species whose habitat would be compromised.

The medieval field pattern, punctuated by a vernacular buildings and network of ancient network of lanes, would be significantly damaged by such a development.

2. Heritage

Wind Site 23 is encircled by heritage assets in the form of Listed Buildings and Structures, as well Conservation Areas in 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. 

A large part of the attraction of Devon for tourists lies in the historic architecture and its complimentary landscape. Adverse landscape effects of wind farm development will impact on local amenity, discourage tourism and damage the local economy associated with tourism.

3. Land use (including sites and agriculture)

Wind Site 23 is traversed by one of the most popular local footpaths (highlighted in local guides as one of the best in Teignbridge) crosses the site. A Wind Farm would industrialise this tranquil route, with its stunning views. It has seen extensive increase in use / foot fall and appreciation during the Covid Epidemic and is important for the wellbeing of locals and visitors alike.

4. Housing

Development of Wind Site 23 arouses concern about the level of noise which will be 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). The ambient noise levels in a rural environment, such as this, are usually estimated to be around 35 decibels (ETSU) at night. Local measurements show ambient noise in the region of 32–32 decibels laEq. Turbines such as those proposed produce 45+ decibels at relatively low wind speeds, which is 10dB above the background noise, so sleep may be disturbed.

Government reports state that where ambient noise outside a residential dwelling is exceeded by 10 decibels during quiet night time hours, sleep disturbance is likely to be experienced.

5. Travel and highways

To gain access to Wind Site 23 it will be necessary to widen roads from local trunk roads (potentially A38). These will cut through the historic network of ancient lanes, changing the landscape for ever.

Wind Site 23 is surrounded by single track roads with few small passing places, and in particular is adjacent to several sharp bends and offset junctions. .

6. Employment and economy, including town centres

Development of Wind Site 23 would damage the tourist appeal of the local area by impacting the character of the famous South Devon landscape.

7. Infrastructure (including healthcare and education)

The road infrastructure as it stands is unable to support the construction and maintenance of a wind farm on this site.

The site would impair local amenity and enjoyment by residents and visitors in inevitable.

8. Anything else

It is likely television reception in Broadhempston would be disrupted.