Campaigners are gearing up to fight two major wind farm schemes on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea following the government’s decision to give Hinkley Point C the go-ahead this week.
Protesters argue that the decision to proceed with nuclear expansion means further wind farms are not needed.
The Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, which has long campaigned against Ecotricity’s bid to build four 120m tall wind turbines at Poplar Farm in West Huntspill, says the Planning Inspectorate is due to announce its decision shortly on whether to allow the scheme to proceed.
The application at Black Ditch in West Huntspill was turned down last year by district councillors due to landscape and biodiversity concerns, but Ecotricity has appealed against the decision in a ‘last ditch’ attempt to build the scheme.
Meanwhile, EDF Energy Renewables is set to re-submit its planning application for a separate wind farm at Withy Grove in East Huntspill. The firm is inviting local people to two public consultation events on Wednesday (23rd October) from 11am – 8pm at Woolavington Village Hall and on Thursday (24th October) from 11am – 5.30pm in East Huntspill Village Hall.
“Although a planning application has not as yet been submitted by EDF, the Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group are well prepared to fight any such application,” campaigner Julie Trott from Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“Our campaign will be just as vehement as before with the reassurance that we have the majority of the local community behind us in our fight.”
“We would like to encourage as many people within the local community to attend the public meetings being held by EDF this week to once again show them that the majority of people within our community do not want these inefficient, industrial machines imposed upon us, spoiling the pleasant, peaceful countryside that surrounds us.”
Campaigners with their protest blimp earlier this year and, top, Julie Trott
