A huge wind farm being planned for the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea could ‘pose a safety risk to children at Brent Knoll Primary School’, according to a campaign group fighting against the proposal.
With just days to go before planners decide whether to approve or reject the controversial proposals for five 300ft wind turbines at Edithmead, near Burnham, the ‘KNOll to Wind Farm’ pressure group has stepped up its campaign.
Group spokesman Andy Manning said in a statement issued on Wednesday that a recent accident at a Cornish wind farm in which part of a turbine blade snapped off shows there is a “potential risk to the health and safety of children at the school.”
He added: “We were very concerned to read in the regional press about the accident in Cornwall.”
“Part of a wind turbine blade weighing more than half a ton snapped off and crashed into a field during high winds at the Cold Northcott wind farm on Bodmin Moor on 14th January.”
“We will be undertaking more research into the safety of wind farms, and trust that Sedgemoor’s Planning Committee will take into account the potential risks to the health and safety of children at the school and the rest of the local community when considering any proposal for a wind farm in the area.”
Ecotricity, the Gloucestershire-based company behind the proposals, is preparing to submit a planning application for a wind farm that it says will produce enough electricity to power 8,000 homes.
The plans are due to be submitted to Sedgemoor District Council this month and be discussed by planners at their next meeting.
RELATED LINKS:
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‘Property prices will be hit by proposed wind farm’ claims action group
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Ecotricity Web site
