August 13, 2010
England

£50k needed for turbine fight

www.thisissomerset.co.uk 12 August 2010

Protesters will have to find around £50,000 from their own pockets to battle two energy companies’ plans for towering wind farms in the Huntspills.

Planning applications for Ecotricity’s five turbines at Black Ditch, West Huntspill, and EDF’s nine turbines at Withy Grove, East Huntspill, are set to be submitted to the district council in the near future.

Residents against the plans believe they need around £50,000 for legal costs to fight the energy giants and will not be able to recoup the sum win or lose. Julie Trott, of Huntspill Wind Farm Group who fighting the proposals, says members are being asked to contribute to find the large sum.

She said: “If this goes to appeal, it is clear we will have to find the cash for legal fees as well as other things like an environmental survey.

“Villagers are incensed the cost could run to £50,000, they have to pay and the cash cannot be recouped whatever happens.”

Ecotricity and EDF claim the wind farms are proposed for acceptable locations and will provide thousands of homes with power, saving on the environment.

Both have or are holding public exhibitions on its plans.

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has handed a petition, signed by 200 people within just a few days, against EDF’s wind farm to the Commons.

The Conservative, who is against the plans himself, spoke about residents concerns such as height, noise, shadows and the location, and hopes Energy Secretary Chris Huhne within the next few weeks.

EDF public exhibitions:

The Princess Hall, Burnham, TA8 1EH, 2pm to 8pm, Thursday, August 12.

Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3TQ, 9am to 5pm, Saturday, August 14.

EDF’s consultation runs to Friday, August 20, and residents can provide feedback at the exhibitions, online afterwards at www.edf-er.com, calling freephone 0800 169 6507, e-mailing consultation@withyendwindfarm.co.uk or by writing to Freepost Consultation Response (Withy End).

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/08/13/50k-needed-for-turbine-fight-2/