An appeal into controversial plans to build a huge wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea – which was due to start on Tuesday – has been delayed by 24 hours.
The appeal will consider plans to build four 130-metre tall wind turbines on land between Rooksbridge and Mark near Burnham, which were turned down last year.
The appeal against the wind farm’s refusal, by energy firm Broadview Energy, is being heard at The Princess Theatre and Arts Centre in Burnham and was due to start on January 7th and last for up to eight days.
However, Broadview’s barrister was ill and so the start of the inquiry was delayed until Wednesday (January 8th) instead.
A large number of local people attended on Tuesday and will be returning on Wednesday.
There will also be a hearing in East Huntspill Village Hall next Tuesday evening at 6pm when those unable to attend in the day will be able to express their opinions.
Broadview says the wind farm could power 7,560 homes and the scheme, which will see the company donate £2,500 per megawatt of capacity, could generate up to £750,000 for community projects over its 25-year lifetime.
The plans have been fought all the way by the No Pilrow campaigning group and local MP Tessa Munt, pictured right.
The group is urging residents opposed to the scheme to attend the appeal.
“The size of these turbines cannot be mitigated against by landscaping or other measures. This, together with the obvious danger to the migratory bird population and other environmental issues, were key factors in refusing this application,” a spokesman told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
He added: “NoPilrow, supported by local residents, have consistently made these and other points over and over again during the last two years.”
A Planning Inspector will consider evidence including written documents and witnesses, before sending a report to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles for a final decision.
RELATED LINKS:
No Pilrow
Broadview
Sedgemoor District Council – planing application reference 24/12/00018
