July 31, 2012
England

Wind farm could wipe out TV signals

Bethan Evans, Reporter | Weston, Worle & Somerset Mercury | www.thewestonmercury.co.uk 31 July 2021

Thousands of Somerset residents could be left without TV reception if a controversial wind farm wins planning permission, according to a campaign group.

The Pilrow wind farm, proposed by Broadview Energy Limited, earmarks land next to the M5 between the villages of Rooksbridge and Mark for development, and features four wind turbines.

Plans now been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for approval.

In opposition to the proposal, action group NoPilrow has said one turbine in the wind farm could affect TV signals to 3,500 homes – equivalent to a town half the size of Burnham.

NoPilrow spokesman, David Maund, said: “Broadview has stated the wind farm may interfere with television reception.

“Residents will only know whether their reception is affected when the wind farm becomes operational, then and only then will mitigation be considered.

“Using information provided by Broadview, our analysis suggests the power output for a 2.5MW turbine, over the last four months would have been just over 17 per cent of the maximum possible output. Would you purchase a TV if it only had a picture for 17 per cent of the time?”

Broadview says if any reception problems occur residents will be able to use an alternative transmitter.

A spokesman for Broadview said: “The assessment of effects on television reception has identified that some properties that are currently using one of the local transmitters, such as Mendip, Wenvoe or Stockland Hill, could be affected once the turbines are operational.

“In most cases, a simple retuning of the television should pick up an alternative service from the three local transmitters.

“The assessment also confirms that no homes where there is no alternative off-air service will be affected.”

The NoPilrow group will continue its campaign at an event at the Wellington Arms, Rooksbridge, on Saturday at 7.30pm. For more details visit www.nopilrow.com

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/07/31/wind-farm-could-wipe-out-tv-signals/