RES gains approval for new link road at Whiddon Down

Tuesday, Mar 05, 2013

Renewable energy company RES has welcomed the decision by West Devon Borough Council to approve plans for a new link road outside Whiddon Down, on the A30 between Exeter and Okehampton. The new link road will connect the A382 and A3142 on the Exeter side of Whiddon Down and improve visibility and safety at the junction. It forms part of the access route for Den Brook Wind Farm, which has already received full planning permission.

Although turbine deliveries could have negotiated the existing junction, RES decided to pursue planning permission for a new link road as part of its commitment to investing in local communities. Plans to improve

this junction had been put forward previously by West Devon Borough Council, but they had to be shelved due to lack of local authority funding.

Dan Leahy, RES Project Manager, explained: “We are very pleased with the decision from West Devon Borough Council. The new link road will provide a long overdue upgrade to the existing junction, dramatically

improving overall safety for all road users and making turbine deliveries to Den Brook Wind Farm much easier. These permanent improvements will be funded and built by RES and adopted by Devon County Council once work is complete, so all members of the public can benefit from the new link road.”

Providing the new link road is one of several commitments that RES has made to investing in the local communities around the Den Brook Wind Farm. Others include the provision of a community benefit fund of

£36,000 per year once the wind farm is fully operational, which local people can invest in local good causes.

The company has also pledged to introduce a habitat improvement programme at the wind farm site, which includes re-planting or repairing approximately 1500m of hedgerow, introducing grassland conservation

areas, and installing bird and bat boxes to encourage greater diversity in the local plant and animal populations.

Work will start on the Whiddon Down link road in late 2013/early 2014 and last approximately 5 months. On the current schedule, construction of the wind farm is likely to follow in late 2013 with turbine deliveries in late 2014. RES will continue to keep local people informed regarding both projects.

Source: RES