A football club’s proposal to build a 20m wind turbine in Somerset has worried a neighbouring equestrian centre.
Clevedon Town Football Club’s Hand Stadium submitted the application to North Somerset Council on 3 August.
The site borders the car park of The Hand EC.
The centre is concerned by the turbine’s impact on business and has lodged an objection to the council.
“We’re a competition centre rather than a livery, so horses coming onsite won’t be acclimatised to any noise or shadows cast by the turbine,” said centre secretary Helen Davies.
“We don’t know how the horses visiting will react, it could be dangerous.”
The Hand’s Tony Keresztenyi said he would garner the opinions of visiting riders.
“We hope for support from our clients and they might write an objection,” he said.
Rider Lisa Dure, who competes at the equestrian centre, said: “I’d probably steer clear if I was competing a green youngster. It’ll be a shame if it does affect the use of the centre, as we are very short of good venues in the West Country.”
And showjumper Sam Hutton added: “Although turbines have good points being environmentally friendly, surely they could build it further away? The shadows wouldn’t be good for any horses, especially youngsters, and noise would be irritating.”
North Somerset Council confirmed it had received a request for the erection of a single wind turbine, with a hub height of 20m.
A spokesman said: “There is a target date for a decision on this of 28 September.”
To object visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk
This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (1 September, 2011)
