WELCOME
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
Wind Turbines, Part One
Of all the emails, letters and phone calls I receive from local residents seeking my assistance, more than half are on just one subject – planning. And of those, a great many are about wind turbines.
Last week was no exception, and one of the cases to land on my desk was that of the Batsworthy Cross wind farm. It’s one of the biggest wind turbine developments currently proposed in North Devon. I visited the site to see for myself; in the photo you can see the anemometer mast which has already been erected to measure wind speed.
The proposal is for nine turbines on a large area of farmland just south of the A361, across from the Knowstone junction. It was given the go ahead on appeal nearly two years ago. However, the Inspector said the construction couldn’t go ahead until various conditions had been met. These relate to a number of different issues including wildlife, highways and archaeology.
On this last point, you may have seen in the press a couple of weeks ago that an archaeological dig has been carried out at the site. It’s uncovered the remains of a medieval settlement, which will be buried again if the turbines go ahead.
This prompted a number of people to contact me to express concerns. In particular I was invited to visit beautiful East Knowstone Manor. If you look on my Facebook or Twitter pages you’ll see a photo of the house and gardens, which are sometimes open to the public.
If the wind farm goes ahead, the noise and sight of the turbines will intrude on this wonderful place, which dates back more than a thousand years. My visit prompted me to look carefully at what can be done, and this is where the conditions imposed by the Inspector are significant.
I will now be writing to ensure that all the conditions are being satisfactorily met and that they are being scrutinised effectively. Time is running out because work is due to begin next year. Indeed it must do, because the permission expires next September.
I am taking action because it’s important that the planning process is transparent and fair, and people are rightly concerned about the impact of this signifcant development.
Wind Turbines, Part Two
A scheme doesn’t have to consist of multiple turbines, like Batsworthy Cross or the Atlantic Array, to attract my attention. Earlier this year I was contacted by local residents concerned about plans for a single wind turbine at Lower Webbery Farm near Ash Mill. The issue here was the size of the turbine: it would have been 77m high, or more than 250ft.
Having visited the site I agreed that this was unacceptable, and wrote in support of the residents to the planning inspector. I’m delighted to report that last week he dismissed the developer's appeal and has thrown out the plans.
The massive size of the proposed turbine was completely inappropriate for this location, so close to the edge of Exmoor. It would also have had a huge impact on people living nearby.
This is a victory for common sense and for the hard work of the residents involved. It's also yet another example of a turbine appeal being rejected. This is happening more and more after the government changed its guidance - something I have been pushing for.
Some other politicians write standard letters to residents saying they can't or won't get involved in individual planning cases. That's why people are contacting me in increasing numbers. I'll look at every plan on its merits.
Let me be clear, I am not ideologically opposed to all wind turbines, but there must be a simple test applied: do the supposed benefits outweigh the harm? Where such questions arise, I will always help local residents whenever I can. Please get in touch with me if you think there is a case I should know about.
Unemployment Figures
This week’s unemployment figures in North Devon are extremely encouraging. They show we're out-performing all other regions in Devon and doing much better than the UK as a whole.
The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in North Devon in July was just 498. That's 45% fewer than the same time last year. If you compare it with the equivalent figure for 2010 it's an even bigger drop; the number of claimants has halved since then.
This means more people bringing home a pay packet and more security for hundreds of families in North Devon. It's extremely welcome news, but of course there is more to do. The Conservatives' long term economic plan is working and the economy is growing, and we must stick to that course.
One of my top priorities is to focus on how we get more investment, more business and therefore more jobs into North Devon, and I'll continue to work hard to build on the success of this week's figures.
In the coming week….
It’s a very busy period at the moment. To add to the recent VIP visitors to North Devon, I’m delighted that the newly-appointed Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, has accepted my invitation to visit in the next few days. Robert is the second more senior law office in England & Wales, so I will take the opportunity to discuss a number of pertinent law & order issues with him – more next week.
Also, twenty thousand copies of our new ‘Barnstaple View’ magazine are being delivered at the moment. This week I have spoken to many people across the town while doing the deliveries and it’s good to hear everyone’s views. More will be landing on doormats this week – if you receive one, please take part in the survey so I know what you think.
Finally, I’ll be spending a lot of time in Ilfracombe in the coming week. I’ve been invited to discuss a number of local concerns and visit businesses during this crucial tourist season.
If there’s something you would like to make me aware of or an event that should be in my diary, do let me know.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter: @PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
www.peterheatonjones.org.uk
Welcome to my latest newsletter. Please forward it to anyone else who you think would like to receive it, and they can sign up at my website (www.peterheatonjones.org.uk). If you would prefer not to receive it, please use the unsubscribe button below. And please get in touch if there are any issues you would like to discuss.
Wind Turbines, Part One
Of all the emails, letters and phone calls I receive from local residents seeking my assistance, more than half are on just one subject – planning. And of those, a great many are about wind turbines.
Last week was no exception, and one of the cases to land on my desk was that of the Batsworthy Cross wind farm. It’s one of the biggest wind turbine developments currently proposed in North Devon. I visited the site to see for myself; in the photo you can see the anemometer mast which has already been erected to measure wind speed.
The proposal is for nine turbines on a large area of farmland just south of the A361, across from the Knowstone junction. It was given the go ahead on appeal nearly two years ago. However, the Inspector said the construction couldn’t go ahead until various conditions had been met. These relate to a number of different issues including wildlife, highways and archaeology.
On this last point, you may have seen in the press a couple of weeks ago that an archaeological dig has been carried out at the site. It’s uncovered the remains of a medieval settlement, which will be buried again if the turbines go ahead.
This prompted a number of people to contact me to express concerns. In particular I was invited to visit beautiful East Knowstone Manor. If you look on my Facebook or Twitter pages you’ll see a photo of the house and gardens, which are sometimes open to the public.
If the wind farm goes ahead, the noise and sight of the turbines will intrude on this wonderful place, which dates back more than a thousand years. My visit prompted me to look carefully at what can be done, and this is where the conditions imposed by the Inspector are significant.
I will now be writing to ensure that all the conditions are being satisfactorily met and that they are being scrutinised effectively. Time is running out because work is due to begin next year. Indeed it must do, because the permission expires next September.
I am taking action because it’s important that the planning process is transparent and fair, and people are rightly concerned about the impact of this signifcant development.
Wind Turbines, Part Two
A scheme doesn’t have to consist of multiple turbines, like Batsworthy Cross or the Atlantic Array, to attract my attention. Earlier this year I was contacted by local residents concerned about plans for a single wind turbine at Lower Webbery Farm near Ash Mill. The issue here was the size of the turbine: it would have been 77m high, or more than 250ft.
Having visited the site I agreed that this was unacceptable, and wrote in support of the residents to the planning inspector. I’m delighted to report that last week he dismissed the developer's appeal and has thrown out the plans.
The massive size of the proposed turbine was completely inappropriate for this location, so close to the edge of Exmoor. It would also have had a huge impact on people living nearby.
This is a victory for common sense and for the hard work of the residents involved. It's also yet another example of a turbine appeal being rejected. This is happening more and more after the government changed its guidance - something I have been pushing for.
Some other politicians write standard letters to residents saying they can't or won't get involved in individual planning cases. That's why people are contacting me in increasing numbers. I'll look at every plan on its merits.
Let me be clear, I am not ideologically opposed to all wind turbines, but there must be a simple test applied: do the supposed benefits outweigh the harm? Where such questions arise, I will always help local residents whenever I can. Please get in touch with me if you think there is a case I should know about.
Unemployment Figures
This week’s unemployment figures in North Devon are extremely encouraging. They show we're out-performing all other regions in Devon and doing much better than the UK as a whole.
The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in North Devon in July was just 498. That's 45% fewer than the same time last year. If you compare it with the equivalent figure for 2010 it's an even bigger drop; the number of claimants has halved since then.
This means more people bringing home a pay packet and more security for hundreds of families in North Devon. It's extremely welcome news, but of course there is more to do. The Conservatives' long term economic plan is working and the economy is growing, and we must stick to that course.
One of my top priorities is to focus on how we get more investment, more business and therefore more jobs into North Devon, and I'll continue to work hard to build on the success of this week's figures.
In the coming week….
It’s a very busy period at the moment. To add to the recent VIP visitors to North Devon, I’m delighted that the newly-appointed Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, has accepted my invitation to visit in the next few days. Robert is the second more senior law office in England & Wales, so I will take the opportunity to discuss a number of pertinent law & order issues with him – more next week.
Also, twenty thousand copies of our new ‘Barnstaple View’ magazine are being delivered at the moment. This week I have spoken to many people across the town while doing the deliveries and it’s good to hear everyone’s views. More will be landing on doormats this week – if you receive one, please take part in the survey so I know what you think.
Finally, I’ll be spending a lot of time in Ilfracombe in the coming week. I’ve been invited to discuss a number of local concerns and visit businesses during this crucial tourist season.
If there’s something you would like to make me aware of or an event that should be in my diary, do let me know.
Keep in touch
I am active on social media, which is a good way to keep up with what I am doing so please:
Follow me on Twitter: @PeterNorthDevon
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PeterNorthDevon
Many thanks.
Until next week......
Peter
Peter Heaton-Jones
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate
email:[email protected]
www.peterheatonjones.org.uk