Campaigners are fighting an application to build a windfarm near a beauty spot in mid Devon.

The Huntsham Estate near Tiverton has asked to put up three turbines, each 223ft tall on farmland at Cove, outside Tiverton.

They say that the windfarm - the first in Devon - would generate enough electricity for 3,000 homes.

But opponents say the turbines would have a "devastating" effect on the landscape which is about 5 miles (8 km) from Exmoor National Park.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Windfarm proposals It is vital that the countryside is not sacrificed Dawn Crawford, CPRE

Join the debate

Lyn Faulkner, who is organising opposition to the turbines, said: "The energy saving does not justify the devastating visual impact of these turbines.

"The government would do better to come up with energy saving ideas."

Opponents are backed by the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) which on Wednesday warned of a flood of proposals for renewable energy projects.

The CPRE says government targets for increasing renewable energy are fuelling the rise in applications.

Plans rejected

"Spokeswoman Dawn Crawford said: "It is vital that the countryside is not sacrificed as a result of these applications."

One Devon local authority, Torridge District Council, has heard seven applications in the last three years.

Five applications have been refused and two are being considered.

North Devon District Council has rejected two windfarm applications.

No one was available for comment from the Huntsham Estate.