Coastal wind farm would destroy bird haven say protesters

Developers say they chose the site – overlooking Bridgwater Bay in Somerset – partly because it is close to the Hinkley Point nuclear power station and the landscape would not be spoiled.

Nearby residents, including many who work at Hinkley, were appalled by the plan. They said the turbines would tower above the power station and kill or scare off birds.

Bridgwater Bay is recognised as an area of special scientific interest and is part of the Severn Estuary area of special protection under British and European law, mainly because of the rich birdlife.

Nightingales breed on farmland adjoining the coast.

Bob Corns, a spokesman for English Nature, said: “It’s about as heavily protected an area as we have in Britain.

Migrating birds such as swallows and housemartins use this coastline and they could be at risk from the rotors, particularly at night. Some of the turbines would be within 100 yards of the nature reserve.

“Something like 35,000 waterbirds are in the bay during an average winter and the wind farm could disturb birds feeding on the mudflats.”

Richard Archer, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: “The noise and disturbance is the problem.

This is an internationally recognised spot for birdlife. A couple of the proposed turbines would overlook a sandy feeding area and we’d be much happier if they were moved back.”

Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, has pledged that a Tory government would give communities more say in the siting of wind farms. He has accused Labour of “pressing ahead regardless” to encourage wind turbines.

The government is committed to increasing the amount of power from renewable sources. David Bellamy, the naturalist and broadcaster, is among a growing number who have challenged the policy, arguing that wind turbines “chop up birds”.

Campaigners in Somerset said they were angry with Your Energy, the developers, and Lady Gass, the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the owner of the land where most of the turbines would be built.

“We’re surprised Lady Gass has entered into such a deal,” said Dick Jones, whose home in Knighton would be only a few hundred yards from the nearest turbine.

“She purports to be a custodian of the countryside but these turbines will wreck it. They will be monumental, among the biggest in Europe. We’re very worried about the constant low-frequency noise they generate.”

John Lucas, a retired police officer from Shurton, said he would put up with the turbines if they were efficient. “But they just don’t do the job,” he said. “They require back-up.

Even with the power station this is one of the few relatively unspoilt stretches of coastline left in Somerset and these turbines will have an enormous visual impact.”

Peter Farmery, a retired engineer, accused Lady Gass of selling her birthright. Lady Gass declined to comment but her land agent, David Barke, said: “Lady Gass believes we must look at alternative sources of power.

The wind farm would be close to the hideous bulk of Hinkley so it’s not going to detract from the landscape.”