Malcolm Elliott, development manager planning, economy and community, South Hams Council and West Devon Borough Council, writes:

I am writing to correct factual errors in the letters to the editor by Mr and Mrs Unwin of Galmpton 'Wind turbine is blow for village' in last week's paper.

It claims that the appeal was allowed because we didn't make a decision in time. This is incorrect and has already generated a formal complaint.

The letter is misleading and is in need of clarification.

It is true to say that the appeal was lodged against the council's failure to determine the planning application within the statutory eight week period but this was not the reason for allowing the appeal.

Planning officers had previously made it clear to the appellant that landscape was an issue and would be likely to lead to a refusal of planning permission and the possibility of the appellant exercising his right of appeal.

An appeal would not have been avoided had the application been determined within the prescribed period.

Planning permission was not as such given for this reason but following an assessment of the planning merits associated with the proposal.

The inspector considered that the main issue in the appeal was the effect the turbines would have on the character and appearance of the south Devon area of outstanding beauty.

The Inspector commented:

'It is inevitable that wind turbines, even those of relatively small scale, will impact on a rural landscape and where the site is within an AONB great weight should be given to conserving the landscape and rural beauty.

However, in this instance clear views of the turbines would be limited and the impact on the landscape limited, such that the benefit of the proposal, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, would outweigh the limited harm to the landscape and natural beauty of the AONB and the consequent conflict with development plan policy.'