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Totnes community wind farmIan Bright, Managing director of TRESOC writes, 17 January 2011 I write on behalf of TRESOC and Infinergy, our partners in the proposed Totnes Community Wind Farm, regarding financial benefits to the local community from the operation of wind turbines at Luscombe Cross. The Totnes Community Wind Farm (TCWF) is a unique community/developer partnership which brings the opportunity for equity investment in a local windfarm with the prospect of a healthy annual return to all residents of Totnes and 15 surrounding parishes in the South Hams. In the event that planning consent is granted, TRESOC will seek to raise up to 49% of the equity investment for installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, from large and small local investors. In addition to this substantial financial benefit to the wider community, TRESOC and Infinergy also feel that it would be appropriate to establish a Community Benefit Fund which would pay an annual sum from operational revenues to the local community where the wind farm is to be located. TCWF proposes to pay £2,000 per MW capacity installed, which for the 2 x 2.3 MW turbines proposed, equates to a total of £9,200 per year. The annual sum would be index linked. TCWF would prefer to make payment to Harberton Parish Council as a democratically elected body, properly constituted to administer funds on behalf of the community. Formal representation on the TCWF Community Benefit Fund will be made to the Parish Council in due course. Meanwhile, TRESOC would like to hear views from the local community on the proposed TCWF Community Benefit Fund. As Harberton and Harbertonford are in close proximity to the site, it seems fair that the annual payment from the TCWF Community Benefit Fund should be shared between the villages. We welcome constructive comments from Harberton and Harbertonford residents by email to communityfund@tresoc.co.uk, or by letter to TCWF Community Fund, TRESOC, 107 High Street, Totnes, TQ9 5SN. Please give your name and address if you wish your communication to be acknowledged. We look forward to hearing from you! [Editor: you may also comment on the wind turbines page on this website. You may also choose to copy your comment to the parish clerk: clerk@harbertonpc.plus.com ] Better safety is promised on the A381 between Totnes and HalwellTim Padfield reports, 25 January 2012 Devon County Council Highways department has designated the A381 between Totnes and Halwell as needing a "Casualty Severity Reduction Scheme". At the December meeting of the council it approved spending £33,000 on signing and lining the road. The detailed changes are not described. The accident statistics of the road are described in the pdf document linked from the Council Minutes: |