Published: August 4, 2012
Parish council unanimously votes against wind farm proposals

East Brent parish councillors voted unanimously on Friday night (August 3rd) against plans to build a wind farm on the outskirts of Burnham-On-Sea.

The parish council held a special meeting to hear the views of those in favour of the scheme and against it before deciding whether to lodge a formal objection against the controversial scheme.

Energy firm Broadview wants to construct four 130-metre tall wind turbines - each as tall as Brent Knoll - on land at Pilrow Farm, south of Rooksbridge.

Over 60 villagers attended Friday's meeting in East Brent Village Hall at which the No Pilrow group, which is opposed to the plans, gave several short presentations, followed by an open session when members of the public were invited to comment and several villagers spoke passionately in opposition.

Broadview, as applicants, were invited by the Parish Council to participate but did not attend and when the Parish Council Chairman invited comments in support of the scheme nobody rose to defend the plans.

Parish councillors then discussed the scheme in full before voting unanimously to object against Broadview's plans.

After the meeting, David Maund from the No Pilrow group told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of this meeting. It shows the massive opposition to the scheme and is a key step towards the whole application being rejected."

Sedgemoor District councillors will have the ultimate say on whether the plans go ahead. Comments are being welcomed by the council's planning department until August 23rd and the proposals are then expected to go before the council for a final decision in September or October. The objection from the parish council will be considered as part of the final decision.