An appeal into controversial plans to build a huge wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea gets underway in the town today (Tuesday).
The appeal will consider plans to build four 130-metre tall wind turbines on land between Rooksbridge and Mark near Burnham.
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. It starts today (January 7th) and could last up to eight days.
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.
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.
But the plans have been fought all the way by the No Pilrow campaigning group and 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.”
