September 29, 2011
England

Opposers to proposed wind farm call for wildlife experts’ help

Chard and Ilminster News, www.chardandilminsternews.co.uk 29 September 2011

Opposers to the proposed wind farm near Rooksbridge have contacted the country’s top wildlife experts and conservationists in a bid to gain support to fight the plans.

The action group NoPilrow hopes to gain support from David Bellamy, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the National Trust and Somerset Wildlife Trust to stop Broadview Energy’s plans to build six turbines.

NoPilrow committee Chairman, Nick Woolmington said: “One of our major concerns is that no proper wildlife survey has been done by the applicant. We are aware that protected species such as bats, birds, dormice, voles and possibly otters, together with invertebrates such as adders, grass snakes, slow worms and others are regularly seen in this area.

But Olly Buck, development manager at Broadview Energy, said they had carried out comprehensive and detailed studies on a number of protected species at the site. The assessments are to be looked at by conservation bodies such as Natural England.

He said: “It is very important to find the right balance between maximising the renewable energy produced by the wind farm while minimising the potential impact on the local environment. Findings to date have indicated that the Pilrow site is a good location for a wind farm.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/09/29/opposers-to-proposed-wind-farm-call-for-wildlife-experts-help/