HUNDREDS of people have formally objected to plans to build wind farms in the East and West Huntspill areas.

EDF Energy's plans for five turbines next to the Huntspill River have attracted 338 formal objections and just 38 letters of support.

And Ecotricity's proposals for four turbines near to Poplar Farm had 427 letters of objection and 113 letters of support.

Julie Trott, communications officer for Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, said she was pleased with the public response.

She said: “Local people are now more aware of the proposals and hopefully Sedgemoor will see the feeling against them and turn them down.

“My main concern is the impact these wind farms will have on people's quality of life - they would be smack in the middle of five villages.”

She added that campaigners would fight on if the schemes were rejected by Sedgemoor planners and either applicant appealed the decision.

Dennis Garry, EDF Energy project manager, said it was not unusual for opponents of wind farms to be more vocal than supporters.

He added: “We believe the site is very suitable for this renewable energy project, which has already been revised from nine down to five turbines, following our initial consultation on the plans."

Mike Cheshire, spokesman for Ecotricity, said wind farms were increasingly necessary as oil prices and energy bills soar.

He said: “If we want to be more self-sufficient, we need to get more of our energy from renewable, home-grown sources such as the wind and the sun - they are free and always will be, and will never run out.”