This is Cornwall --Author Michael Morpurgo has called on the Government to honour its pledge to listen to local campaigners after plans were revealed to pepper "War Horse valley" with wind turbines.
Campaigners say a rash of projects could "wreck" the tourist industry which has grown up around the book, play and hit Steven Spielberg movie.
The writer – a freeman of West Devon – formally objected to council plans for a turbine measuring 145ft (44.5m) from base to blade tip at Combe Farm, Iddesleigh.
Now it has emerged that as many as five turbines could be built in the idyllic Okement valley, which forms the backdrop to his First World War epic.
A second application – 50% taller – is planned at nearby Hawkdown Farm, in the village of Dowland, with a third earmarked at Winkleigh and two more said to be in the pipeline along the ridge.
Mr Morpurgo described the area in which he lives and set up his Farms for City Children charity an "oasis of peace and wonder, a paradise", which was "still far from the madding crowd".
As planning officers visited Coombe Farm to assess the impact, he said locals had "overwhelmingly" rejected the scheme.
"We have made our reasons clear, and our opinions clear," he added.
"The Government has recently declared and determined that local opinion should be a prime consideration in such applications.
"Local opinion is clearly unequivocally against this application – I am sure the government says what it means – let's hope it means what it says."
Under the plans lodged with West Devon Borough Council the turbine will tower over the famous Tarka Trail near the village hall which sets the scene for the story of a young farm boy and his horse, Joey.
Graham Ward who runs the War Horse Valley Museum in a converted 16th century barn and piggery shed, said: "This is like a hidden valley which has been this way for centuries – when you look out of the window and see this big turbine it just doesn't fit the picture."
Steve Phelps, an Iddesleigh parish councillor, said the area was "glorious".
"From the tea room of the poor old War Horse Museum, the turbine will be the first thing you see – four or five of them will wreck it completely," he added.
A decision on the Coombe farm application was deferred by the planning committee, who visited the site last week, and is expected to be made in September. Reported by This is 15 hours ago.