11/09/2013 Spotlight

The protesters claim victory in their bid to stop a huge wind farm

off the North Devon coast. Good evening.

The final decision on the Atlantic array will be made by the

government, but at least one council has now said no to the idea. Also

tonight, the vital delay in treatment 423—year—old cancel

patient. Her mother wins a settlement from

her family doctor. She was let down, and completely let down. It has cost

her her life. And the legacy of winter flooding, painful work to

repair the routes which crumble into the sea.

Protesters are tonight claiming victory after a Devon Council today

rejected plans for what could be one of the largest offshore wind farms

in the country. It would involve setting up as many as 240 wind

turbines, 60 kilometres of the North Devon coast. The firm behind it, R W

E N Power says that it will produce enough electricity to power 900,000

homes. Late this afternoon, North Devon district Council said no to

the plans for the wind farm. Our reporter is in Woolacombe tonight.

It is not quite so obvious on a gloomy night as we have this evening

about why so many people are worried about the visual impact of the wind

farm. It will be ten miles out to sea, many people are close to it and

they took their concerns today to the latest council making a decision

on whether they believe it should go ahead.

The protesters came. They were hoping they could convince members

of North Devon's planning committee to do what to other councils had

feel to do, oppose the massive wind farm.

I want this to be stopped, otherwise they risk owing to be massive

disruption. People will peacefully protest. it is in the wrong place.

It could have been 20 or 30 males further out. the Atlantic Array

proposal is double the size of any British wind farm currently in

place. The head of planning said that the decision had to be, was

this the rate development in the right place? She said it would have

an adverse landscape impact but it would not hit to risen to that

they. Although the majority of contract would go to specialists,

they would be scope for vocal jobs to be created. Local spokespeople

spoke for and against it. now that North Sea gas is basically running

out, we desperately need new sources of energy. After two hours, and

rejection was the result opponents wanted. it tells the planning expect

inspectorate —— planning inspectorate that the visit decision

to be made. It is in the wrong place. It is sandwiched between two

of the finest coastlines that these isles have. There are six reasons

why North Devon Council went against this plan, they included tourism,

the visual impact and a lack of what PC as a tangible economic benefit.

—— of what they say is. People have until Monday to raise their

objections to this scheme, then it will be discussed by a planning

inspector and a final decision will be made by the Secretary of State

around about this time next year. There is more debate and a Atlantic

Array proposal is here on Sunday politics here on Sunday morning.

There has been yet another drop in the number of people out of work and

claiming benefit in the South West. Today 's separate civil war than

this time last year. Unemployment is a key concern and a measure that the

Bank of England is emphasising in recovery. The South West has fared

well. Does this look like recovery? yes. I have been looking at the

figures month by month and each time I come here saying that the latest

figures are significantly better than the year before. Each time that

year—on—year comparison has got more and more encouraging. It is

gathering place. —— pace. Is the recovery predicted what we should

expect? in the tourist areas, it is a 20% improvement in that time. If

you look at somewhere like Somerset, but lest touristy, there is a 40%

improvement. It has fallen in all areas year. If you would get the

picture county by county, let us look at the overall national

unemployment rate going by the claimant count, the narrow measure

of unemployment. That is 3.4%. There is a fall in every county, they all

have levels well below the UK rate. In the urban unit tree areas, we see

figures that are more alike the average rate. But they all fall and

Torpey is the only place in the region that has a rate higher than

in national rates —— Torbay. the mother of a young Cornish woman

who died from cervical cancer has won £35,000 settlement from the GP

who failed to refer her to a specialist at an early enough stage.

She began to take legal action before her death. The family says

the settlement is an acknowledgement that the service she received fell

short. Mercedes was just 23 when she died.

She had been to her doctor with symptoms including heavy bleeding

and abdominal pain. Although the GP had noted that a smear test may be

necessary, she was not diagnosed with cervical cancel until three

months later. —— cervical cancer. Her mother has set up a foundation

and charity shop in her name. She has now won a settlement from the GP

who accepts that he should have referred her to a specialist

earlier. Mercedes wanted to prove a point. As much as she trusted her

general practitioner and the other health care professional she saw,

she was let down, and severely let down, which cost her her life. Her

GP told spotlight in a statement that this was a tragic scenario for

all those concerned, and I would like to express my sympathy is once

again. Last year, her mother took a petition to Downing Street. She

wanted page for cervical screening to be reduced from 25 to 20.

Expected face says that that could have done more harm than good. But

she looks that Mercedes 's case —— but she hopes that Mercedes 's case

will help continue the foundation 's work.

A 22,000 signature petition has been handed in to Downing Street today by

firefighters from Torquay. Devon and Somerset virus are two says it has

to make significant savings but will still maintain a effective service.

But controversial plans which would see the second fire engine been cut

from full—time to on—call has angered many. I think that anything

that puts pressure on the fire authority, particularly in relation

to Torquay with the response times are ad firstly directed, ——

affected, that does cause concern. a charity running a refuge for women

in Torbay are warning that the closure of a shelter could put women

and children at risk. The refuge here in Torbay has

supported 86 families in the last two years and turned down 200 more.

This woman, who does not want to be identified, has said that it has

been vital for her and her son and she would have returned to her

abuser without its help. You'll manage and support from the staff

for myself and my son is immense. I would have gone back if I had had to

go to a bed—and—breakfast. It is 20 47 support year. We all support each

other. We have got out of our staff —— 24—7 support. I cannot see any

justification for shutting this place down. I think it is terrible.

They should be opening more, not shutting them down. the council

wants to change the way they deal with domestic abuse victims, by

using emergency accommodation instead went to specialist outreach

support. Torbay Council says that no one is available to speak today

because it is consulting about these proposed changes, but it does say

they will provide greater value for money and it will be fairer because

all the women who come to them for help will be assessed on same way

and it will not matter whether there is room at the refuge are not. But

the women who run the refuge say that it may not work. People may not

leave the perpetrator, or they will return quickly, which may not be the

best possible thing for them. If they have refuge accommodation in

place then they can guide people through. Torbay Council 's

consultation lasts until the 25th of September. A decision will be made

on the 17th of October. You are watching BBC Spotlight.

Still to come: The hardest working man in the south—west, he has 52

jobs. We will find it were his whistle—stop two of the labour

market takes him next. And join me later in the show when I

will be talking about my experiences on the Great British beak off and

the fear. The unusually wet weather which

preceded the summer may have been forgotten, but the damage that it

cost has not. The BBC highlighted the impact on the famous South West

Coast Path, which crumbled away in places. People have been trying to

repair the trail since then. It has not been easy. The coastal footpath

is some 250 males long and attracts countless walkers every year. Many

people choose to holiday here just to walk the path. But walkers will

have found it tough going this year because many of their favourite

routes have been left block or unpalatable by Cliff collapses or

landslides —— locked. Earlier this year we took to the skies to see

just how bad the problem was. Flying over one of the worst hit areas,

this stretch of coastline , and we can see how large part of the cliff

have collapsed. This part of the coastal footpath will never be the

same again. Some of it has been closed for safety reasons, but we

have a gate. A guide. This is about just as far as we can get, because

here the footpath just disappears. There is a 6—foot drop to my right.

It used to go at a shallow angle although we are up into the trees

and then continue that way, but as you can see the whole lot of it has

slipped in a semicircle and there is the added danger of another —— a

number of trees. but people are still trying to get tenure. There

are still people jumping over locked gates, ignoring the notices and

pretending that everything is OK. As we are in the middle of this

interview, we spot a Walker ducking under. He tells us that someone has

written over the Saints. —— the signs. You can see that it is

dangerous. yes, but I am walking with care. There is a temporary

diversion, it takes people several miles inland by road, with an

overview of the sea. This couple are keen walkers and they are but lost.

the signage is not very clear and we are not very sure which way to go.

We will find a way. There have been 30 landslides in Cornwall alone. The

total bill for re—routing and repairs could exceed £1 million. It

says that private landowners have helped. Land has been donated for

any path. Natural England, says those carrying out the repairs, have

not stumped up any money. We are managing it on their behalf. it is

not only important for residents but it has a real economic value. We are

estimating that it is worth about £177 million to the Cornish economy.

People come here because of the wonderful path. we asked natural

England foreign interview, and they give us a statement. They said they

are committed to maintaining the past, but they were having to treat

various cases all over the country. It is feared that it could become

increasingly costly to protect this famous coastal trail.

Ambitious plans have been unveiled to build a centre for extreme sports

for people with disabilities. South—west gym owner hopes to build

the facility in Truro. Bruno injured his spine in a

carjacking. He struggled to adapt to life in a wheelchair. Ina

sportsperson, ending up in a wheelchair you feel trapped most of

the time. —— being our sportsperson. A centre like this would alleviate a

lot of the problems that we go through. the plans include a

scuba—diving tank, skydiving platform and climbing wall. It will

be purpose—built for disabled people but open for all. This gym owner

thinks it is unique and will attract people from all over Europe. The

maxim of the most extreme sports were actually some of the sports

that they could take part in one regularly. The central challenge was

born from that. John now has charity status for his appeal and has a

preplanning application. He needs £100,000 just to get the project

through the charity stages. He is beginning an enormous athletic

challenge to raise funds. He and his friend will be cycling, running a

marathon and running up and down Ben Nevis. Nick took his first steps and

23 years at this gym and loves the idea of facilities built to

accommodate his needs. it would be tremendous for anybody who wants to

use it, from disabled people to people of all walks of life to

actually use it. it is estimated that it would cost between 15

million and £20 million. It is hoped to be raised through continued

grants and funding. Every child is asked what they want to do when they

grow up but how many really find out?

One Cornish man is taking that question to the extreme by doing 52

jobs and 52 weeks. BBC Spotlight has been following him

and we caught up with him on the front line of job—seeking. There is

no denying that he is keen. Now in the 36th week of his

challenge, match turned up for work at this job centre, but it was not

what he expected. I thought I was working for the job

centre this week. But I did not realise that I would be in a full

fireman 's outfit. So far over the past eight months, he has thrown

himself into the world of work, becoming a stuntman, a photographer,

beef farmer, a certain structure, a pizza delivery man, journalist,

theatre technician, and blacksmith. Joining other young people looking

for jobs gave another new insight. The training is part of the project

run by Cornwall Fire service and the Department of four convention is to

encourage young job—seekers back into work. it is nice that people

can see, this is what I have been doing. I have taken part, these are

the skills that I have acquired throughout that process. These young

people gaining this work experience have gained the label confidence for

the future. I probably would not have done this before. I am

confident to talk in front of people. That is going to be great

for trying to get future employment. I thought I had confidence but I did

not. After a couple of weeks here and pushing my limits and showing

that I can work as part of the team and with other people showed me that

I can do things that I did not realise. Matt is giving any wages

that he earns to the Princes Trust and has big ambitions for the next

few weeks of the challenge. I have things like air steward, potentially

midwife, going down the sewers, and a celebrity PA as well. By the end

of the year, it is likely that Matt will have an enviable CV and it is

likely that like him, these young people will impress potential

players. —— employers. For one of the

competitors in Great British Bake Off, showing off his skills has led

to some real results back in his kitchen. He has been winning over

the judges as well as his pupils at school. Millions of people are

chaining in to watch this man and his fellow contestants stretch

themselves to the limit. Each week, the baker that does not

make the grade is voted off. The tension as he waits for the

judges 's verdict. to be honest, the pastry could have done with another

ten minutes. You had plenty of time to practice, you knew how long it

would be, you should not have picked it. now that he is back in his

hometown, he has learned his lesson and is showing the students how it

is done. I have not done a lot of pastry and things largely because I

was worried about the calories for years. But I think this is what the

Great British Bake Off does, it inspires you to have a go. And his

pupils are more than willing to get involved.

I think he will do really well. But he does make a lot of big things,

huge chocolate cakes. How was he treated around school for ?

Everybody recognises them. He has learned good schools that —— skills

that he can show was. who knows how much morphine is to come as he is

through to the next round. Whatever happens, his appearance on the Great

British Bake Off is certainly rubbing off on the students.

Time for a look at the weather. For those that needed, there is some

rain in the forecast now. For tomorrow it is generally quite

cloudy. There will be some patchy rain around and will return to some

of that low cloud as well, then lures becoming misty and marquee.

Some high pressure, just hanging in there. Beginning to weaken now. All

of this cloud down here coming this way. We have a fair amount of cloud

covering is at the moment. That is a weather system that will put it

tomorrow night. Another will arrive in the middle of the day tomorrow

and that will bring further outbreaks of light and patchy rain.

Then the whole system will stall across southern England by the time

we get to the middle of the day on Friday. Little ripples or pulses of

rain running along the same weather system will enhance the rain fall.

Friday night could turn out to be quite a wait of fear. There is the

cloud that we have seen today. Now the cloud is producing some patchy

rain. Most of it across parts of Devon. Cornwall may see a few

patches of green but it will put out overnight. A lot of local load, —— a

lot of low cloud. A mild night, quite a misty night. Quite high

temperatures. There will be some brightness tomorrow, eastern parts

of Devon and Somerset will have morning sunny spells before it's

generally clouds over with a line of patchy rain moving through. Tomorrow

it is the antiques road show in Exeter, just outside Exeter

Cathedral. The temperatures tomorrow, up to about 19 degrees.

Warmer than today. Cool along the coastline at around 17 degrees. On

the Isles of Scilly, some cloud around. Return to some drizzly

conditions and a fair amount of low cloud appearing in the second half

of the day. Here are the times of high water. Now for our surfers,

clean but not very big. Choppy on the north coast. C temperature

around 17 degrees. Those are the coastal waters forecast. The winds

are lighter tomorrow. But occasional drizzle as possible with moderate or

good visibility. There is rain now in the forecast. Friday in

particular looks like it could be quite a wet day. If we do not see

much in the way of rain on Friday delight, overnight overnight the

rain could become quite heavy and widespread. —— on Friday night. Come

Sunday, we have a new area of low pressure and Sunday itself could

turn out to be quite windy as well. With strong, possibly even deal

force. Clearing overnight into Monday, colder air comes in. Quite

chilly feel for the early part of next week. For those that need it,

there is some rain and forecast for the few days.

Just before we go, one person e—mailed to say that actually the

Sunday politics is on at 1:30pm on Sunday. A welcome collection.

Goodbye.