Blades of glory - or a very different story?

(From Western Morning News)

Byline: MARTIN HESP

Nearly half of England's biggest wind farm has now been erected in the hills northwest of Barnstaple and the size of the 360ft turbines is provoking mixed emotions among local people.

So far, nine of Fullabrook Wind Farm's 22 turbines have been hoisted into the North Devon skies and their white blades can be seen from as far afield as Dartmoor and Cornwall.

The development, which was granted planning permission in 2007 following a public inquiry, is expected to be fully operational this autumn - and for a period will be the largest onshore wind farm in England before larger projects are completed elsewhere.

The Government has made clear its commitment to clean renewable energy and Fullabrook's operators, ESB Wind Developments, say the new North Devon wind farm should produce sufficient electricity over a year to meet the domestic electricity needs of around 30,000 households - roughly two-thirds of North Devon households.

Not all those households are happy about the development. Barnstaple-based painter …