February 11, 2012
England

Blimp to raise profile of Somerset Levels wind turbine opposition

Western Daily Press, www.thisissomerset.co.uk 10 February 2012

Residents of the Somerset Levels fighting two major wind farm applications are to attempt to show how tall the turbines will be by flying a blimp as high as the blades will turn next week.

Campaigners with the Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group will launch the balloon to mark the first of two public meetings called by council chiefs to discuss the two applications from EDF Energy and Stroud-based Ecotricity.

“The blimp will fly at 400ft, demonstrating the enormous height these structures extend to,” said spokeswoman Julie Trott.

Councillors will make a tour of the Huntspill area in advance of Monday evening’s meeting in East Huntspill village hall to discuss the EDF plan, while a second meeting taking place at Balliol Hall in West Huntspill on Thursday evening will discuss Ecotricity’s plan.

“Despite all the rhetoric of the developers promising that there will be no noise disturbance at the Fullabrook wind farm in Devon, many people’s lives have been blighted as they are being kept awake at night with the constant thumping from the turbines.” Ms Trott added.

Both EDF and Ecotricity say their turbines, placed close to the M5, will not spoil the landscape and are needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/02/11/blimp-to-raise-profile-of-somerset-levels-wind-turbine-opposition/