Plan submitted for seven-turbine windfarm 

Seven massive wind turbines could be erected in countryside on the Devon and Cornwall border under plans announced yesterday. thurs

EDF Energy Renewables said it was investigating the potential for a new wind farm to be built near Chapmans Well, east of the A388, between Launceston and Holsworthy.

It is proposing a maximum of seven turbines on land at Hollow Panson, which EDF said would be enough to supply the annual domestic electricity needs of about 7,300 homes.

Tim Wheeler, development manager for onshore wind at EDF Energy Renewables, said: “Local opinion is very important to us and we will be giving the local community every opportunity to discuss and consult on our proposals for Hollow Panson.

“As a country we face a significant challenge to maintain energy supply‚ tackle climate change and maintain affordable energy prices.

“We believe the answer lies in greater energy-efficiency and the generation of electricity from a diverse range of sources including nuclear and renewables.

“EDF Energy Renewables is therefore committed to developing new low-carbon electricity-generating capacity and we believe that the site identified at Hollow Panson could be suitable for this purpose.

“We are still in the very early stages of developing a detailed proposal for this site and will be carrying out further investigative work over the coming months.

“This will help to provide more information ahead of our public consultation events.”

Under the current proposals, the company would build seven, two-megawatt turbines. Each would have a hub height of 80 metres (262ft) and total height including the turbines of 126.5 metres (415ft).

It is submitting a project scoping document to Torridge District Council, which will determine the format of any future planning application.

The report will outline both the technical details and the likely environmental effects.

The company, which already has several onshore and offshore projects in operation or in advance development across the country, will also be applying for planning permission to install a temporary meteorological monitoring mast at the site to gather information on weather conditions and wind speeds.

Ken Hamlyn, chairman of St Giles on-the-Heath with Northcott Hamlet Parish Council, said he had only learned of the plans from the landowner last week.

He said some in the area had already voiced their opposition to the wind farm.

“It is still in the early stages and there is a lot of investigation to be done on the site,” he said.

“We expect there will be a number of consultation meetings.”

He added: “At this moment in time, it has only just been announced. The heat hasn’t started to rise yet.”

EDF Energy Renewables said it was committed to consulting fully with the local community, including a series of public exhibitions and displays to be held later in the year, where staff would be able to answer questions.

It is also planning to set up a dedicated website and a freephone information line to provide details of the scheme.