Councillors vote not to support Atlantic Array wind farm

Torridge District Council had previously voted not to raise objections

Councillors in Torridge have withdrawn their support for the Atlantic Array project - a wind farm proposed off the North Devon coast.

Earlier this month Torridge District Council voted not to raise objections.

But after a motion by independent councillor Chris Leather on Monday night, councillors voted to withdraw their support.

The 240-turbine scheme would be double the size of any wind farm currently operating in Britain.

The councillors voted by 15 votes to seven against the scheme "in the interests of the residents and businesses of the Torridge district".

The project, which would see the 220-metre high turbines built nine miles (16km) off the North Devon coast, was rejected by North Devon Council earlier this month.

Mr Leather said: "We got there in the end and had the debate. At least we're singing from the same hymn sheet as North Devon Council."

Phil Collins, the leader of Torridge District Council, said: "I am disappointed we didn't have a longer and wider debate. In hindsight that should have been done months ago. These things change when you have debates and more information.

"I am pretty confident this won't be the last we hear about it. It's not going to go away.

"I think last night's debate has been a sign of the passion that the members have for the communities affected by this."

The proposal will be considered by the Government's Planning Inspectorate, which is responsible for deciding large-scale infrastructure projects.