4:20pm Friday 30th July 2010
By Matthew Colledge
A PETITION signed by 200 people opposed to plans for a giant Sedgemoor wind farm has been presented to Parliament.
ED Energy Renewables wants to build nine 400ft turbines at Withy Farm, near East Huntspill and Puriton.
Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger handed in a petition in the House of Commons on Monday, raising concerns about “the implications for local residents of noise from the turbines; the intrusive nature of the wind turbines and any possible additional power lines associated with them on the unique landscape of the Somerset Levels; and the potential damage to wildlife and their habitats.”
The petition calls on the Government to “take all possible steps to take the impact on local communities and the landscape fully into account when considering plans submitted for the siting of wind farms and the provision of energy generation through renewable sources.”
Mr Liddell-Grainger, who has vehemently opposed the wind turbine plans, said he hoped to receive a response from Energy Secretary Chris Huhne within the next few weeks.
He said: “The Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, which started this petition, got the 200 signatures within a few days, which shows the strength of feeling about these turbines, and I support them totally.
“I think EDF's proposals are absolutely disgraceful.”
EDF Energy Renewables says its turbines would generate up to 18MW of renewable energy, helping to meet the UK's renewable targets and reducing CO2 emissions.
The firm is also hosting a series of consultations on its Withy Farm plans.
One takes place at Puriton village hall on Monday, from 11am to 7pm; another takes place at East Huntspill village hall, from 10am to 8pm on Tuesday.
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