27/02/2012 Spotlight

The Devon photographer injured and stranded in Syria. His wife is

calling on the international community to mount a rescue

operation. Good evening. We will be live in Totnes where Paul Conroy's

family live. Also tonight, the fight against an incinerator.

Campaigners go to the Court of Appeal as the Government tries to

overturn a ruling against a scheme at den -- St Dennis. The eco-

heating system which tenants say is costing them thousands. And why

this children's wendy house has fallen foul of the planning laws.

The wife of a Devon photographer injured in Syria is tonight calling

on the United Nations to intervene to help rescue her husband from the

conflict. Paul Conroy from Totnes was hurt in a mortar tact on

Wednesday. Two colleagues, including Sunday Times journalist

Marie Colvin were killed in the blast. Mr Conroy's wife is urging

the Government to forget protocol and get him to safety we can go

live to Totnes and our correspondent Simon Hall. It It is

very difficult to read what is going on in Syria. The country is

in a state of virtual Civil War. Plus negotiations tend to be

conducted quietly behind the scenes. There was a sense of optimism from

the French President Sarkozy, and he said it looked like there was

potentially a deal in sight to get Paul and tore western journalists

out of Homs. Part of the chapel of reflection vun -- reflect hundred

at saint pairry's church has been dedicated to Paul Conroy. Prayers

were said for him, and his family, at the weekend. We like to think

that down through the centuries, St Mary's has been at the heart of the

community, so when the community celebrates, we are there with them

doing the civic service and when the community or a member of the

community is hurting, we want to reach out to support and surround

them with love, thoughts, prayers and reflections. Paul's family

still haven't spoken to him. They want more action taken to try to

get him out of Homs, from the British Government, but also from

the United Nations. You know, somehow I am getting through every

day, and managing to, you know, wake up in the morning and just

brace myself, and just git on with it, and do everyone I can, do these

interviews, and keep it up there at the top of the agenda, I know that

is one way I can help. I am not feeling too bad, because if anybody

can get through it it is my dad. Why is that? He has been too so --

been to so many war zones ch I know he can make this one. A special

prayer has been written for Paul by a local parishioner. It concludes

with the words "Here in Totnes we hold you in our hearts." I spoke to

Kate again just a little earlier on, she said she was comforted by the

many message of support she had received. She was surround by many

friends, she said, which was helping the family to cope. In

these so difficult times. Campaigners fighting a

controversial incinerator planned for Cornwall have been told by the

Court of Appeal tonight that they h have to wait a fortnight to find

out whether nor it will be built. Last year the high court threw out

a Government decision to grant the incinerator. Our correspondent is

at the Court of Appeal. Back in the 1990s the Cowen sill decided it was

running out of landfill. I decide on a plant near St Dennis. There

was an appeal against it. They won their appeal in the courts and

there was champagne corks popped. People were happy, diggers were on

the site starting to build the road. They had to move away. However,

since then, the Secretary of State for local Government and communitys

Eric Pickles, has appealed this decision. That is what everyone has

been in court talking about today. And what they have been talk about

is air quality, now the campaigners say they thought that decision

would be left with picks pi, he would decide it. But in the end he

listened to the Environment Agency, they said, that left them at a big

disadvantage. We were led to believe the Secretary of State was

the competent authority and would have looked at the assessment.

you have seen today that turned out to be, he put his trust in the

Environment Agency. The appropriate assessment was never done. How do

you feel about that? I feel we have a good legal point but as we seen

today the legal challenges from both sets of barrister, you know,

is a 50-50 chance at the moment. Now they want to build this plant

on a important and sensitive site. There is a planned there, a very

important plant according to the campaigners. People of St Dennis

have taken it up as a wonderful symbol because it's a very rare

plant, which is threatened by the proposed insi ray for, because the

acid emissions from that plant could wipe out 50% of the world

population of this rare plant, which has got the highest level of

European protection it could have. We spoke to the company after today.

They didn't want to be interviewed. They insist as far as they are

concerned the energy from waste plant is the solution for Cornwall.

A group of tenants in Cornwall say they are being forced into debt in

order to pay for heating in their housing association homes. They say

a new eco-heating system is inefficient and is costing

thousands of pounds a year to run. Spotlight's Eleanor Parkinson

reports. Ja nit moved into her housing association home just under

two years ago. Since then she says he has paid out almost �4,000 for

electricity. The house is fitted with a specialist exhaust air

source heating system. The system is designed to be eco-friendly. But

janis says she is selling her possessions, to pay her bills.

are constantly watching the meter. I have never put this amount of

money on my electric ever. I have never been in debt with my electric

board. Since here I am �600 in arrears with them. The problem

isn't just confined to number 29. Next door, at number 30, they are

also paying big bills. When you moved in how much were you told you

were going to pay and how much you having to pay with this system?

had a letter given to us, which tells us roughly what we would use,

in a year. Obviously, adding on normal electrical appliance, we are

looking tops about �700 a year. Where it works out at the minute we

are putting in near enough � 2,000 a year and more. Do you blame this

system? I do, yes. And I know everyone who has it thon estate is

in the same boat. The housing sogt association says 28 of the homes in

Cornwall have benefited with this system. And they have had

complaints from five households they say they are working to find a

solution. The system has benefited in many other homes round the

countries where householders have reported problems. In Bedfordshire

one housing association has been compensating tenants for high bills.

Janis says she will monitor her electricity useage daily until the

problem is resolved. The Dartmoor National Park Authority had left a

family in Dunsford astounded after telling they needed planning

permission for their children's Playhouse. The wooden wendy house

is on stilts and has has been thatched but the Endacotts have

been told they breaks national planning rules. A dream home in the

countryside. Chocolate box cot tadge complete with thatch. But

grown ups will be dispointed. This is designed for children. This is

our Playhouse and it came to us by Father Christmas in lots of pieces

sh and it took us about two days to build it, and every one of our

family helped build it. My uncle thatched the roof. Despite it not

being a real home the Dartmoor National Park Authority says the

wendy house needs planning permission. I was really upset. It

was an innocent Christmas present for our children, which they adore.

Have they given any you any reason they don't like the location?

said something to do with it being near the high way but then there is

lots of things that are built along the side of the road. I think there

is a lot more ugly things round than a little wooden tree house

that don't seem to have any problems with, and yet they are

pick on us. Just Tyne and Hugh go say they have fixed the Playhouse

into the ground to make it stable and positioned it opposite the

house so they can keep an eye on their children. They didn't realise

because it is elevated fixed and near the road that the parks

planning officers might get involved. We are waiting to hear

from them. I think they are going to send us alert. They have told us

we have to move it. Where is it now where it is sunny. If we moved it

to the shade it could be cold and damp and not very nice.

Dartmoor National Park Authority say they don't want to make a

comment, or issue a statement at this stage, but they do say that

the Playhouse does need planning permix, but they are willing to

have talks with the family, to discuss a different location. The

ed cots are waiting for a leter to find out what they need to do next.

The grown ups might have to help the younger workmen if the park

authority decides the Playhouse needs to be moved. Lots of comments

coming in. Andy thinks it is ridiculous, if it is your land, you

should be entitled to do what you want on it within reason. As they

are not affecting neighbours, nor is it a huge industrial plant.

Peter said the country is in financial chaos, councils are

having to cut job, the police are cutting front line officers and

Dartmoor National Park Authority is insisting a child's wendy house

needs planning consent. Thank you Charles. You said another example

of our underemployed public sector workers trying to justify their

existence. Thank you for those theatre shows to come to the South

West has cancelled its first performance because of technical

issues. The new production of the Philip Seymour-Hoffman -- Phantom

of the Opera was due preview tonight. The show is being jeever

seen by Cameron Mackintosh which also closed its doors on Saturday.

Johnny Rutherford has been following developments and is with

me now. What has been the problem? It seems to be they have technical

issues and they are worried about the safety. It's a big show, with a

complicated set. It is a revamp from the 25-year-old phantom show

that ran in London. A new set has been designed especially for the

tour, and so with that, they are worried about the rehearsal with

the cast and it's the first time they have put that together.

Cameron Mackintosh is in fact down in the town at the moment, to make

sure that the new production which starts before the national tour

gets off to a good start. And they have reassured me that tomorrow

night will be the opening night. What about people who have paid for

tickets for tonight? Yes, of course, lots of people completely upset.

The worry there is that it is 1300 seats, have to be found, even

though the product sun runs for five-week, all the good seats,

pretty much have been sold already. And so they are trying to find what

they can in that time. But the theatre has said they will get

their money back and in fact anyone who bought tickets on the Saturday

rehearsal will get their money back and they are offering for them to

come along to a dress rehearsal tomorrow but they have to make sure

they get their tickets beforehand. Thank you. The former own our after

north Devon animal refuge which folded last year has warned others

about the pitfalls of the sanctuary business. Debbie De Ste Croix's

animals had to be found new homes after she ran out of money. A cold

October morning last year. And koixkoix has been locked out of the

farm where she ran the quality of life animal sanctuary. Why are you

so incompassionate? I have had sheer hell for the last six week,

not knowing if I my animals are dead or alive. She was evicted

after falling behind her more imagine but some of the animals are

left behind. Five months on Debbie only has her dogs for company. And

she has learned tough lessons. Trying not to have negative

thoughts, and trying not to but it very difficult not to feel bitter,

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 47 seconds

You can see more on that story on Inside Out tonight.

Now it is time for the export and Natalie is here.

-- sport. We start with rugby and the Chiefs

run of wins come to an end. Plymouth Albion suffered a big blow

as they fight for survival. It was hardly vintage stuff at the

stadium. This will be play it -- this was the closest they got to a

try. It became a kicking contest. They put away two penalties to put

the chief's ahead. Then they lost their discipline and Heathcote took

over on his kicking duties. They sealed a 12-9 win.

We have come to this on the back of a few wins. We haven't managed to

knock up a 4th win. We have to keep those runs of form going and I hope

we have learnt that we were not quite good enough. The Cornish

pirates got a bonus point. There was more problems for Plymouth

The pirates will take off Leeds, Rotherham and bed fought -- Bedford

Not a great deal to talk about in the football. Plymouth Argyle took

a point from proceedings. I was joined by a Chris Hargreaves.

It was an awful weekend. No wins. There's go to the first of our

defeat. Exford -- Exeter away to Huddersfield. Five minutes before

the break, you give this goal away. It is an uphill task after this.

Exeter matched them for much of the game but they gave the ball away

there. A great finish. League Two and a Torquay lost to

Gillingham. Are they having a wobble?

If I don't think so. They have been on a brilliant run. Such an easy

goal and then this. I don't understand what happened.

We can't tell whether it was a penalty. It didn't look like it but

he gives it. He then that sends the wrong man off.

Was it a case of mistaken identity? I don't know. He doesn't know what

is going on. To make it worse, they scored a penalty.

Plymouth Argyle can get the ball in the back of the net.

It was a tough game to watch. They did battle hard, didn't they,

Plymouth? They did. They played really well

in the first half. The 61 fans of Dagenham that went didn't get much.

Robbie Williams, he played really well again after his return. It was

unfortunate. Yeovil Town slipped to the bottom

of four after a defeat in their round. The second equaliser coming

nine minutes from town. It looked like it would end with honours

evening until deep into injury time. A fruitless 670 mile round trip for

Yeovil. They had some fun before the game.

Tonight on our full bore programme, exclusive access to that longest

away trip for Yeovil. Find out how coming last on the quiz on the best

lead to this in the team hotel. That is the Late Kick-Off macro.

Well done to the tunes of Plymouth University went the extra mile for

Sport Relief at the weekend. They played many sports at the weekend.

12 on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. 100 people took part and his hope

they have raised �1,500 for the charity.

How about this. Tom Daley has had a waxwork made of him at Madame

Tussauds in London. It is said to be one of the most complex and

dramatic figures ever to feature at the World tourist attraction. It

shows him made dive. It is suspended 4 ft of the ground. He

I had to look at that photograph very closely. It is very realistic.

The TV chef, Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, is in Devon tonight

to see the damage caused by a fire earlier this month at his River

Cottage headquarters near Axminster. He is also throwing a party to

thank firefighters and the local committee for coping with the

aftermath. Our Correspondent is there.

You join s at what is best described as a field kitchen. This

was set up in order to allow a cookery courses here at River

Cottage to continue after the fire. It looks like today's students have

been attempting stuffed lamb. The fire broke out on the night of 7th

February. The cause still hasn't been established. Fire crews

received high praise for the way the operation was carried out at

and there is a special party tonight to say thank you to the

emergency services and the local folk who helped to get River

Cottage back on track. Joining me is Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Thanks for coming. A very emotional day for you. Yes, a very up and

down day. I had been a way for me for a long time and had about the

devastating fire while I was several 1000 miles away on a

fishing boat. I have only now been able to come and see what happened

and it has been an intense afternoon. First of all seeing the

extraordinary fire devastation at the barn and being grateful that no

one was near at the time. Within a few minutes, coming appear and the

feeling of shock turning to one of incredible gratitude for the

extraordinary efforts that have been made to get the River Cottage

show on the road again. Only two weeks ago this fire occurred and we

were able to honour a course today that people had booked in Llam and

we have had 20 guys here cooking in the kitchen behind. This is our

field kitchen/dining room. We are up and running again. Thank you for

joining us. We gathered the barn will be restored at some point but

until that time, the cookery courses will continue here in what

has been described as a temporary structure. It is a field kitchen.

I am feeling hungry now after that. It is not too bad for the week

ahead. We have got some drizzle coming out of that cloud now. Maybe

some more persistent rain for some parts. For this week, it is dry and

mainly cloudy but there is some gaps in the cloud and that sunshine

will come through every now and again. This weather system is

proving reluctant to move out of the way. It will move on through

tonight and the high pressure comes in behind that so better chances

for the holes in the cloud tomorrow. Some sunshine by the time we get to

Wednesday. There is some continental air heading our way.

Today, we have had a lot of cloud. This is the rain band that has been

coming in. It will move across a good part of north Devon into

Somerset. Some patchy rain of arriving in the south of Devon also

but it will peter out as it goes through tonight. We could have some

fog around tomorrow morning. There will be poor visibility for the

moors and our coastlines. He of the temperatures. Top temperature of

nine Celsius. -- he up I'll be temperatures. We wake up to a misty

start. We should see some holes in that cloud. Where that happens, it

will feel quite pleasant with temperatures of possibly 13 Celsius.

The winds will be like tomorrow. -- night. For the hours of Scilly, a

misty start but it -- should break- up so you will have some sunshine.

Top temperature of ten Celsius. On It is disappointing for our surface

As for the outlook, it does get better. We will see some sunshine

eventually. Wednesday is a good day for some sunny spells developing.

Thursday is very similar. A lot of cloud with some breaks developing.

By Friday, the low cloud returns and at the weekend we could see

some rain. For the next four days, miles and dry.

miles and dry. -- mild. Tomorrow in Spotlight, the

vice chancellor of Exeter University, Professor Sir Steve

Smith talked about the University's multi-million-pound expansion and

its impact on the region's economy. Exeter University puts �350 million

into the local economy every year. We have got an estimate that in

Exeter, the public sector job losses that are coming were used

about the same amount of gross value added to the city as we will

add to this city by our natural growth. That is Professor Sir Steve