Planning Application 1/1636/2000/11/0024 was posted on 18.10.2000 for the erection of Anemometry Equipment on land at Stowford Cross, Bradworthy. (Anemometers are instruments for measuring wind velocity.)
The application was made by West Coast Energy Ltd., The Long Barn, Waen Farm, Nercwys Rd., Mould, Flintshire. (01352) 757604, on land belonging to Mr. And Mrs. D. C. Pengelly of West Down Farm, Bradworthy.
A yellow notice has been pinned on the appropriate gate (see map). The final date for objections is Wednesday 8th November. The notice, to say the least, is vague. The application is for planning permission to carry out the development as shown above, but it is not shown above. The map at the foot of the notice shows only a fraction of the site involved.
The development is for a mast 40 metres high (there was apparently an earlier mast on the site, erected in 1996 which was 10 metres high). This new mast will be a bout 120 feet high or equivalent to 4 times the height of a normal house. There are 4 supporting wires on each side extending to a radius of 20 metres.
It is said that the monitoring equipment will be used for 2 years for data collection, the land will then be returned to its former agricultural use.
The height at which the measurements are being taken and the large site area (see map), 4 fields covering, I would guess, about 100 acres can only be interpreted as the precursor to a full scale wind farm. (Domestic wind turbines are not 40 metres high). It would be an ideal site, there is clear run direct from the sea and the wind really funnels through the site.
I do not have to stress the visual impact and the noise nuisance such a development would have on the area.
Any objections have to be received by Torridge District Council, Riverbank House, Bideford, EX39 2QE. The latest date for receipt is 8th November 2000.