Hundreds of people have lodged formal objections against controversial plans for a new wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea.
Energy firm Broadview wants to construct four 130-metre tall wind turbines – each as tall as Brent Knoll – on land at Pilrow Farm, south of Rooksbridge.
More than 300 letters, of which over 95% are opposed to the scheme, have been lodged with Sedgemoor District Council’s planning department.
David Maund, spokesman for the wind farm protest group No Pilrow, told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: “The few letters supporting the development, with the exception of one, seem to be either from people who are not local and will not be adversely affected, or from people who appear to have been recruited on the streets by eco-activists.”
“Local residents have been bolstered by the tremendous support given by MP Tessa Munt and County Councillor John Denbee. The Parish Councils of Badgworth, Chapel Allerton, Compton Bishop, Mark, Brent Knoll and East Brent and Rooksbridge have all objected to the proposal, further demonstrating the strength of opposition.”
“From the outset of our campaign, NoPilrow has said the vast majority of residents did not want this industrial wind farm forced upon them. The wind farm would despoil our beautiful landscape and this has been clearly recognised by the people who represent us at all levels, including Tessa Munt who recently met members of NoPilrow. This endorsement from our representatives and residents alike proves conclusively that NoPilrow is right.”
Mr Maund added: “The vast majority of comments on the Sedgemoor Planning site are objections to this proposed wind farm, clearly illustrating the wishes of the community. It gives NoPilrow an unquestionable mandate to continue its opposition. Although the official deadline for comments has expired, it is still possible to send in objections to the Planning Officer by email quoting Sedgemoor Planning Application 24/12/00018.”
But Tom Cosgrove, Broadview’s Project Manager, added: “Our recent experience on the streets of Burnham has been that the majority of people asked, both residents and tourists, were in favour of the proposals. If you take away all the scaremongering and hype being pedalled by a minority of vocal campaigners, this is a proposal to generate green electricity from a sustainable, domestic resource, a principle which the majority of the British public are in favour of. Broadview’s proposal has been designed in accordance with the relevant planning policy and guidance, and through decreasing carbon emissions and securing a domestic, renewable source of electricity, will help to create an important legacy for future generations.”
