PLANS for 20 wind turbines in open countryside between Tiverton and Bampton have been withdrawn.

An application to site 20 5kw turbines with a maximum height of 21m at Buckhayes Farm, Cove, was submitted to Mid Devon District Council back in June, and soon attracted a huge amount of concern from people living in the area.

A group opposed to the turbines, calling itself Save Bampton Down, was established with over 50 active supporters.

According to one of its members, the group gathered and lodged over 200 letters of objection with the district council.

People objecting to the scheme included residents from Bampton, Huntsham, Cove, Shillingford, Chimney Down, Rackenford, Dulverton, Stoodleigh and Tiverton.

Letters of objection were also rec-eived from visitors and tourists who had visited the area. Opposition also came from Bampton Town Council, who voted unanimously to reject the application.

Les Hartley, chairman of the town council, said: “We’re very pleased that this application has been withdrawn.

“It’s something many people were opposed to and felt strongly about.

“It was proposed for a small area in a place of natural beauty, and the plans raised concerns about noise and danger to wildlife”.

Other objections included concerns that there had been insufficient consultation with neighbours, while the Ministry of Defence objected to the plans on the grounds that they would cause “unacceptable interference” to the air traffic control radar at RNAS Yeovilton.

A spokesman for Quiet Revolution, who submitted the application, said: 

"The development at Buckhayes Farm has been withdrawn to produce further reports, in order to assist Mid Devon Council's assessment of the project. It is our intention to undertake studies, and resubmit within the coming months.

"During this time it is our aim to engage with the public, to ensure that information is presented correctly, and to respond to questions that have been raised.

"The Buckhayes Farm site holds excellent potential for renewable energy production. Development of wind power represents an opportunity to generate electricity that is clean, locally sourced, and attainable without consuming fossil fuels. In turn, it is consistent with the aims and targets of the UK government, and Mid Devon Council."