A green energy firm which had its plans for a wind farm near Burnham-On-Sea rejected has this week decided to challenge the decision – to the dismay of local campaigners.
Ecotricity wanted to construct four turbines on land in West Huntspill, but the government’s Communities Secretary Eric Pickles threw out the recommendation of a planning inspector and said the four 120m turbines should not be built.
The firm has said this week it has conducted years of environmental assessments at the site and is taking its case to the High Court.
Ecotricity says the positive results of its assessments, as well as recommendations for approval from both the Council’s Planning Officer and the Planning Inspector suggest the site is “an appropriate location for four wind turbines.”
However, Julie Trott, spokesperson for the Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, which has campaigned against the scheme, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are disappointed and surprised that Ecotricity is challenging the decision.”
“We didn’t think they would. It seems that the challenge is going ahead just because this is the first case where Eric Pickles has overturned a recommendation from a Planning Inspector.”
“It’s out of our hands and we have no idea of the timescales for a decision. Everything is in limbo until we hear more so our fingers are crossed that the High Court will turn down the challenge.”
