CAMPAIGNERS battling proposals for a wind farm in Rooksbridge have vowed to fight an appeal by the developer.

Broadview Energy has appealed to the Planning Inspectorate following the refusal of its plans for four 130-metre turbines on land at Pilrow Farm by Sedgemoor District Council last month.

SDC planning officer Rebecca Miller said the project was rejected because it would “represent an unacceptable visual intrusion into the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels.”

Campaign group NoPilrow says it will continue to fight the controversial project, which saw almost 800 people writing to register their opinions.

Commenting on Broadview's decision to appeal, NoPilrow Committee chairman, Nick Woolmington, said: “This is a complete farce. We are very disappointed and we feel Broadview are clutching at straws. There's no doubt in our minds they will lose the appeal.

“Broadview have made it clear it is important they consult people. They have done so and every group, organisation and individual has said no to this wind farm in that location.”

Broadview says it has consulted extensively with stakeholders including residents, Sedgemoor District Council, and statutory consultees such as Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency.

Tom Cosgrove, Project Manager for Broadview Energy, added: “We continue to believe the Pilrow site is an excellent location for a wind farm of the size proposed.

“We have carefully reviewed the reasons for refusal provided by Sedgemoor District Council and feel the most appropriate course of action is to seek a decision through the planning appeal process.”

Broadview says if the wind warm were constructed, it could generate enough electricity to meet the needs of up to 7,560 homes.

The company has proposed a community fund of £2,500 per MW of installed capacity each year over the wind farm's 25 year lifetime, which it claims could amount to between £500,000 and £750,000.