There was a fantastic turnout of more than 230 people in Halwill Junction Village Hall on Monday 30th June to consider the impact there would be on the area if a wind farm of large turbines was installed on Chilla Moor.    People came from all the surrounding villages which would be affected, including Halwill, Chilla, Black Torrington, Highampton, Odham, Northlew, Sheepwash, Shebbear and Beaworthy.  It is known that Scottish Power is investigating the site for the possibility of erecting 15 huge turbines, each of which will be over 400 ft high.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Harry Riches, a retired consultant physician and former Master of the Worshipful Company of Wax Chandlers, a City of London Livery Company, who now lives in Black Torrington.    Dr Riches stressed that renewable energy projects were entirely acceptable provided they did not have adverse effects on local residents or degrade the local environment.  He outlined the general problems associated with turbines particularly noise that will affect many residents and visitors, and the health problems that can arise. He was particularly concerned about the close proximity of enormous turbines to the Burdon Grange Nursing Home for the Young Disabled.    The negative effects on the visual amenities of the landscape of the area and the way this could discourage tourism and depress property values were also indicated.

The meeting had the benefit of a number of contributions from distinguished speakers.  Bob Barfoot of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (North Devon branch) gave the views of his organization which  for more than twenty years has opposed the  inappropriate siting of wind farms . He answered numerous questions from the floor.

Paul Mills, an energy consultant, stressed the negative effects such an inappropriately sited wind turbine development would have on the economy and Peter Hadden and Barbara Frey outlined the research they had conducted over many years into the effects of noise on health.  Gary Jennings and Angela French from the Parkham Parish Conservation Association gave advice on the ways a protest could be organized.

After a long question and answer session a vote was taken.  It was hugely impressive that the meeting was unanimously opposed to a wind farm on Chilla Moor.  It was agreed to proceed further by arranging an organizing committee to oppose such development.  The meeting closed after 2 hours with thanks to all those who attended and to those who had arranged the meeting.