PLANS for a wind farm in Somerset have been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council for approval.

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

The developers are eager to get the plans approved and say the wind farm could supply enough electricity, annually, for 5,300 households.

Project manager Tom Cosgrove said: “The turbines can generate clean electricity for many years to come and, if the scheme is approved, the area can expect to receive financial support for community-based projects.

“We are proposing a community fund of �2,500 per mega watt over the wind farm’s 25-year lifetime, which could amount to between �500,000 and �750,000.”

During the development process, Broadview has consulted English Heritage, local councils, residents, community representatives and a range of other organisations.

But the plans have provoked outrage from a number of site neighbours who say the development would have a severe impact on the surrounding environment.

David Maud, member of the NoPilrow action group which is opposing the wind farm, said: “It is clear the vast majority of the community is against the Pilrow wind farm and this fact will be reflected in the large number of objections to the planning application.”

In response to the community fund proposed by Broadview, Mr Maud said: “If the wind farm was constructed and the parish of Rooksbridge and East Brent blighted by these industrial monstrosities, the community fund would most likely be distributed among several surrounding villages and would amount to very little.”

The authority will now undertake a consultation exercise with a number of organisations, as well as local residents, before making a decision on the proposal.

The planning application will be available to the public at the council offices in Bridgwater and can be downloaded from Broadview’s web pages at www.pilrowwindfarm.co.uk