North Devon Council has approved a plan to run major electrical cables from a new offshore wind farm to Saunton Sands and under the dunes surrounding it. This decision has sparked controversy among local residents and environmental groups, who argue that the area is a hotspot for nature and should be protected rather than harmed by construction work.
Opposition from Local Groups
- Save Our Sands: A campaign group opposing the plan, claims that the project will damage the area’s natural beauty and UNESCO biosphere status. They argue that there are better ways to power homes without harming this unique environment.
- Local Objections: Developers White Cross assert that their project will power 135,000 homes while minimizing environmental and social impacts. However, they have faced significant opposition, with local residents lodging 1,843 objections against the proposal.
Broader Context of Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Similar challenges are being faced in other parts of the UK as governments push for infrastructure development to support renewable energy production.
- In Mid Wales, farmers and landowners have been fighting plans for 60 miles of electricity pylons carrying clean energy from new onshore wind farms.
- Dyfan Walters from the Llandovery Pylon Community Action Group stated, "Installing underground cables would have had less impact on landscapes."
- Green GEN Cymru countered that fully undergrounding routes is not economically viable despite efforts to reduce visual impacts. They emphasized their commitment to reducing visual impacts but cited economic constraints as a reason for choosing above-ground pylons instead of buried cables.
Future Scrutiny
The North Devon Council’s decision is likely to face further scrutiny as it moves forward with its plans for offshore wind farms in North Devon.
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