The coastal village of East Prawle has announced ambitious new plans to set up its own wind farm.

It is hoped that the scheme will provide enough electricity to power the whole of the 150-home village.

The inspiration behind the idea comes from villager Stephen Taylor, who received planning permission to build a 39-foot wind turbine to power his property last year.

East Prawle's district councillor Julian Brazil has asked Mr Taylor to report on the effectiveness of his scheme at the village's next parish council meeting on March 13.

"If it proves to be efficient and cost effective, then we will be exploring the possibility of having a small wind farm for the needs of the village," said Mr Brazil.

Julian Brazil: "If it proves to be efficient and cost effective, then we will be exploring the possibility of having a small wind farm for the needs of the village."

"If we think the scheme is feasible then we will have to consult with the local community. The scheme will only work with the full support of local people."

Mr Brazil also confirmed that a field which could be used to house the turbines had already been found.

East Prawle, which is home to pop singer Kate Bush and BBC presenter Jenny Bond, sits on the top of 300-foot high cliffs and is the most southerly village in Devon.

Despite the urgent need for more renewable energy sources, many in the South Hams have been skeptical about the environmental benefits of wind power.

Last month, South Hams District Council's planning committee turned down new proposals to build three 100m-high turbines on farmland between the villages of Goveton and East Allington.

Each of the turbines at the Beech Farm site would have generated up to five megawatts of power - enough for about 2,000 homes.

The wind farm project was rejected on the grounds of visual intrusion, the impact on local wildlife, noise levels and the potential impact on tourism and the local economy.

Villagers from Goveton, Buckland Tout Saints, East Allington and Churchstow vigorously opposed the latest development, saying the turbines would be visible from communities across a wide area and as far as six miles out to sea.

They had already seen off two previous planning applications for the turbines on virtually the same site at Beech Farm.

Let's hope that the proposed East Prawle wind farm scheme is economically viable and can be an inspiration for many others in the region as the battle against global warming hots up.