Thursday 11 April 2013

Pilrow wind farm plans rejected

Planning application for a wind farm east of the M5 motorway in Somerset has been rejected by the local council.

Plans for the Pilrow wind farm had already been scythed down from six 140-metre-high turbines to four 130m ones following consultation with local residents, English Heritage and the Environment Agency.

The council’s planning officers deemed the visual change in the landscape by the turbines would be unacceptable, said the energy firm which proposed the farm.

Local MP Tessa Munt had been opposed to the project, saying last July she was “concerned about the visual impact” it would have. The Lib Dem said that as she campaigns against pylons being built on the Somerset countryside, “I cannot support the idea of something three times larger being built instead.”

Broadview Energy said it was disappointed by the decision as the Pilrow farm could have generated enough electricity to meet the needs of up to 7,560 homes.

Tom Cosgrove, Project Manager for Broadview Energy said: "The UK has an urgent need for new electricity generating plant and, if approved, the Pilrow wind farm would have made a valuable contribution to increasing our energy security and reducing carbon emissions.

"It is our view that Sedgemoor District Council failed to properly take account of this in making its decision on the application and we continue to believe this to be an excellent location for a wind farm.”

Broadview is considering its options for the site.