Controversial Pilrow wind farm scheme near Burnham

Energy firm Broadview wanted to construct four 130-metre tall wind turbines - each as tall as Brent Knoll - on land at Pilrow Farm, south of Rooksbridge.

Sedgemoor Planning Officer Rebecca Miller said Broadview's scheme at Pilrow would "represent an unacceptable visual intrusion into the flat landscape of the Somerset Levels, particularly in respect of the harm to the views to and from Brent Knoll."

Her report continues: "A defining characteristic of this part of the Somerset Levels is their flat and level nature; the verticality of the proposed turbines will be at odds with this character and will significantly undermine it."

"The character of the landscape will be significantly undermined and harmed in a location which constitutes a key gateway to Somerset. This adverse landscape impact cannot be mitigated against with additional landscaping or other measures."

"The local planning authority is of the opinion that the visual harm that would occur to the landscape would not be outweighed by the benefits that the development would bring in terms of tackling climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions."

MP Tessa Munt, who has backed those campaigning against the proposals, said: "A large number of people who live close to the proposed Pilrow site have contacted me about this proposal. They are unanimous in their opposition to the plans. They are not opposed to wind turbines in general, but they do not believe this is the correct location."

"I am, and remain, in favour of renewable energy, but proposals must be appropriate for the surrounding area. There are alternatives which could be explored like off-shore wind, tidal power and solar power, none of which would have the impact of this proposal."

Vestas' Colorado factories in Windsor, Brighton and Pueblo will produce wind turbines for the largest wind farm to be built in western Canada.

The Danish company announced Monday that it has received an order to make 166 wind generators for the Blackspring Ridge Wind Project near Lethbridge, Alberta. It will also provide service and maintenance under a 20-year contract.

Vestas recently cut its Colorado workforce by 10 percent, which it blamed on Congress' slowness in extending a tax credit for wind generators. The company does not intend to increase staffing, however. "We intend to remain at our current staffing levels of more than 1,000 people at our Colorado factories," Andrew Longeteig, head of external communications, North America, wrote in an email to the Coloradoan. "We are optimistic we will secure more orders for wind turbines in the United States and Canada in 2013."

Vestas has a tower factory in Pueblo, a plant for turbine covers in Brighton and blade factories in Brighton and Windsor.

Vestas said the turbines are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of the year. Commissioning is expected to occur by mid-2014. Also on Monday, major shareholder Marathon Asset Management increased its holding in Vestas shares to 10.6 million shares.