A farmer’s bid to build two 70 metre-high wind turbines on the western edge of Dartmoor has been dismissed, because they would form a “restless intrusion” on the landscape.Carol and Robert Bradford, of Beech Farm, Lamerton, near Tavistock, had appealed against West Devon Borough Council’s decision to throw out the plans to build the turbines, each one-and-a-half times the height of Exeter Cathedral. They claimed the development would not have a detrimental effect on the surroundings, and said the windfarm was needed to create green energy. They had proposed that the turbines, which they claimed would provide enough power for up to 1,300 homes, would be run by a community trust. Their appeal was heard by Government planning inspector Richard Tamplin in October. This week, he released a report in which he dismissed the appeal. It read: “The turbines would form a restless intrusion into this quiet and reposeful upland, to its detriment.

Fury has erupted at the news that council planners have recommended approval of a 48 turbine windfarm at the heart of a Berwickshire beauty spot. The recommendation signals a massive U-turn by the planners who initially opposed the windfarm at Fallago Ridge in the Lammermuirs. The windfarm plan has since been revised to 48 instead of 60 turbines but objectors protest that it will still be a massive blot on the landscape.

The Scottish Wild Land Group said the number of wind farms proposed for the Lammermuirs risked losing their character, while the John Muir Trust described the lack of a strategic plan to ensure the farms were located in the most sensible places as "one of the biggest mistakes" of the previous Scottish Executive administration. Mr Havers, 56, said: "My argument has always been that the Lammermuirs have sort of been taken by stealth. In the Lammermuirs, it's just creeping, creeping, creeping.

Isle of Lewis is an area of outstanding beauty Conservation campaigners have welcomed a Scottish Parliament report that has slated plans for Lewis wind farm because it would destroy the scenic view. ...The Report - commissioned by Scottish Ministers - concluded: "Support for renewable energy development and the need to protect and enhance Scotland's natural and historic environment must be regarded as compatible goals.

It is one of Scotland's most famous and impressive Victorian structures but the Skerryvore lighthouse off the coast of Tiree could soon be lost from view. Islanders campaigning against the siting of a massive off-shore windfarm to the southwest of Tiree have warned that the Stevenson-built structure will be hidden in a forest of massive turbines is ScottishPower is given the go-ahead for the Argyll Array.

He suggested the wealthiest Scots are benefiting from the spread of wind farms at the expense of consumers, who have to heavily subsidise the technology in their energy bills. Among the landowners named in the book is the Duke of Roxburghe, who, he estimated, could earn £1.5 million a year from turbines erected in the Lammermuir Hills.

An energy company's bid to site two giant wind turbines on the outskirts of Lowestoft has been strongly opposed by the family which owns an historic 6,700-acre country estate nearby. ...The estate has employed the services of expert consultants The Landscape Partnership (TLP) to fight its corner and the report added: "In TLP's assessment, the proposed turbines would contrast with the character of the AONB and the sense of tranquillity and timelessness that is typical of the local area."

The Little Law windfarm inquiry heard from a town and country planner who also predicts turbines could take over the scenic spot, shatter the area’s “tranquillity” and dwarf the Ochil Hills. Repeating the sentiments of many in various inquires before him, David Tyldesley, an Edinburgh-based planner of 40 years experience, some of it dealing with windfarms, stated: “The experience of the landscape on the hill tops would change dramatically, from a perceived experience of tranquillity, peacefulness, remoteness and to some extent wildness, to one dominated by the presence of very tall man-made industrial structures, with their moving blades, which would be alien to the landscape.” But he added: “If permitted, a condition should be imposed to require details of the turbines to be submitted to the council for approval and the overall height of the turbines should be substantially reduced to minimise the potentially dominating effect on landform, the visual impact described and the potential effect of dwarfing the Ochil Hills.”

The famous painter, who has recently been described as Britain's greatest living artist, returned to the open skies and rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds ...But the sweeping vistas inland from the east Yorkshire coast could soon be marked by more industrial forms as applications flood in to build wind farms along the escarpments.

Ireland's failure to insist on environmental impact assessments before major development projects are carried out will be scrutinised by the European Court of Justice on Thursday. The European Commission brought an action against Ireland in May 2006, claiming that the government had failed to comply with its obligations under the 1985 Impact Assessment Directive. ...The commission alleged that ‘‘particular deficiencies'' in relation to environmental impact assessments for a wind farm at Derrybrien, Co Galway, amounted to ‘‘a manifest breach of the directive''. Work began on the 60-megawatt windfarm in July 2003. About 90 per cent of the site roads on the 300-hectare site and half the bases of the 71 wind turbines had been completed when a landslide occurred on October 16, 2003. The landslide destroyed trees, fisheries and an empty house, and blocked two roads, but nobody was hurt.

North Devon District Council wants a judicial review of plans for 22 turbines at Fullabrook Down. If the case goes ahead, the High Court could overturn the plans by Devon Wind Power. The plans were agreed by Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, but the council says the impact on the area and local people outweigh any benefits. ...Council leader Mike Harrison said the authority had taken legal advice and it had a chance of winning its case. He said: "These are massive turbines and it will have a huge impact on the landscape. "It will affect people living nearby and the tourism industry."

Energy experts at Carter Jonas in Peterborough have welcomed the lifting of a policy restriction against wind farm development in and around Oundle and Thrapston and nearby rural locations. For some time now, the energy team specialists have been urging local authorities to accommodate national targets for renewable energy when it comes to local planning policies and to ensure that development is appropriate in terms of location and being sustainable.

Helen McDade, head of policy at the John Muir Trust, said: "We are disappointed that the majority of councillors chose to ignore expert opinion from bodies which include Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Cairngorms National Park, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and the John Muir Trust. "But despite this setback, the fight to save the Monadhliath Mountains will continue.

"If we carry on developing these turbines all over the place there will come a point that it will be recognised that Scotland is a place for turbines rather than a place for natural beauty."

The wind farms will require massive excavation of this ultra-sensitive and increasingly rare area, with consequent disturbance to the fragile ecosystem and hydrology, including the release of damaging gases to the environment. Dava Moor is also an invaluable wildlife corridor, running from the River Spey to the River Findhorn, for a huge array of bird life which will be vulnerable to the wind turbines....The SNP Scottish Executive needs to reassess the renewable energy policies of the previous Labou-led administraton to bring an end to the land-grab that has ensued around Dava Moor and elsewhere in the Highlands.