West Somerset council refuses planning for turbines near nuclear power station.
Plans by developer Your Energy to build a wind farm in west Somerset have been refused planning permission because of the site’s proximity to the Hinkley Point nuclear reactor. West Somerset council voted against the proposal to build the 12 70m high turbines by a count of 9:3. Council spokesman John Thorne said that the main objection to the plan was the risk of a 40m turbine blade flying off, but insisted that this did not mean that the possibility of having a wind farm in the area was being totally ruled out.
"Nobody thinks this is the end of the matter. The applicants have said they might appeal the decision. They could also amend the application by reducing the number of turbines," he said.
Your Energy said that it was prepared to drop the three turbines closest to the power station – which is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2016 – if it would enable the proposal to move on.
