Controversial cable plan given go-ahead

COUNCILLORS have voted in favour of a controversial plan to bring cables for a wind farm off the North Devon coast on shore at Saunton Sands.

- by ALISON STEPHENSON Local Democracy Reporter

The cable route will go through a host of protected landscapes connecting to the National Grid at East Yelland, where a new substation will be built.

Members of North Devon Council's planning committee said they were "torn" over the decision, having to weigh up environmental concerns and impact on local businesses against the need for more renewable energy to tackle climate change.

After a five-and-a-half hour meeting at Barnstaple Rugby Club attended by 130 members of the public, the committee voted by 10 votes to two to approve the onshore infrastructure for the 100 megawatt test and demonstration scheme by White Cross Offshore Windfarm Ltd.

The approval contains 39 conditions to mitigate the impact of the 28-month construction on the community, environment and wildlife.

There were 1,843 objections to the scheme which was first submitted 18 months ago and a petition of 3,837 signatures presented by Save Our Sands (SOS) campaign group. North Devon Council received 41 letters of support to the plan.

SOS and community forum Love Braunton even raised £10,000 to mount a legal challenge. They said the developer had failed to provide sufficient detailed information for councillors to make an informed decision.

The cables will be laid in an area which includes a Unesco biosphere reserve, a special area of conservation (SAC), special site of scientific interest (SSSI) and national landscape, with many rare birds and bats making their home there.

The route will go under Saunton Sands golf course and the Taw estuary.

A trenchless drilling method will be used in the most sensitive sites and the work carried out in sections, planners were told.

Concerns had been raised over the effect the construction hub in Saunton Sands' only beach car park and next to holiday businesses would have on the tourism industry, which was the main income generator for the area.