Shock wind plans

9:04am Thursday 27th July 2006

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THE Quantock Hills, Sedgemoor battle site, Bridgwater, Woolavington, Chilton Polden and the Huntspill Levels these are all sites earmarked for wind farms under a new scheme from Somerset County Council.

One week after the Government's new energy review offered encouragement to firms hoping to build wind farms at Brent Knoll and Hinkley, a council report has shown that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

"I am truly horrified that sites like The Quantocks - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - are being considered."

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger

The authority is now investigating putting turbines across farmland it owns around the county, and has already drawn up a list of potential sites including those in the six areas listed above.

If the authority gives the idea a formal go-ahead at its executive meeting tomorrow (Wednesday), detailed studies will be compiled to pinpoint the most suitable sites.

These studies will take into account factors like wind speed, distance from housing, access and proximity to the National Grid, as well as public opinion.

Once the turbine destinations are prioritised, planning applications will be submitted. If all goes according to plan, the turbines will be built, and the county council will be earn a subsidy from the operating firms.

The proposals have not been greeted with open arms in all quarters, with Bridgwater's Tory MP Ian Liddell-Grainger among the first to speak out in opposition.

He said: "I am truly horrified that sites like The Quantocks an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are being considered.

Either I'm going mad, or somebody else is.

"This is all around the countryside, right through the middle of the levels and by the battlefield site. I am simply appalled.

This is a horrific idea, totally absurd."

But Cllr Paul Buchanan, the county's executive member for economic development, insisted careful consideration would be given to choosing the right sites, but insisted the authority was dutybound to act to help reduce global warming.

He said: "The council must take action to reduce the effects of climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels, and in order to do this we must support the development of secure and sustainable supplies of energy.

"The most common renewable energy available in Somerset is wind energy.

However, alongside supporting the installation of wind turbines, the county council is committed to ensuring that any potential adverse impacts are minimised through careful site selection and extensive public consultation."

And the county was backed by Matthew Spencer, chief executive of environmental group Regen SW, who said he believed the public will support the proposal.

He said: "Wind turbines remain one of the most effective ways of generating green energy and tackling climate change, so it makes sense for the council to explore the options for putting turbines on its own land.

"While wind energy proposals always generate some opposition, I suspect that with good siting and a good consultation, the council will get the majority of the public behind this important project."