A PROPOSED wind farm near the motorway would "create long shadows across the carriageways confusing motorists and increasing the chance of accidents", a leading protester told a packed meeting.

More than 130 people crammed into West Huntspill Village Hall for the latest meeting on fighting Ecotricity's plans for five turbines at Black Ditch, West Huntspill, and EDF's hopes for nine turbines at Withy Grove, East Huntspill.

Key speaker was John Wakefield from the Huntspill Wind Farm Action Group, who spoke about the phenomenon of "shadow flicker" on the motorway as the blades turn.

He said: "The shadow flickers will be dangerous on the motorway at certain times of the day.

"Unsuspecting motorists not expecting moving shadows could swerve to avoid them and cause an accident."

He continued, using a map to show the turbines' locations and said how they would tower as high as Brent Knoll.

He said: "You can see some of the turbines are close to our homes although other countries such as France do not allow them to be so close."

He also questioned the noise as the blades rotate saying it would be constant and incessant.

Villagers were also incensed that it could cost more than £50,000 to fight the proposals.

The meeting came after EDF said it was running a series of public exhibitions in the area as part of its consultations.

The company claims their nine 2MW turbines are capable of producing enough electricity to supply the annual requirements of more than 10,000 homes and could lead to savings of at least 17,500 tons of carbon dioxide every year.

Dennis Garry, EDF Energy Renewables' development manager for the project, said: "Local opinion is important to us and we encourage anyone who has a question or is interested in the project to come along to discuss the plans with us."

"We believe the site is suitable for a wind farm and if approved, would provide low carbon energy for years to come. Renewable energy projects like this demonstrate our commitment to low carbon energy sources, and the importance EDF Renewables places on sustainable development."

Both energy companies have received planning permission from Sedgemoor District Council to each build a temporary mast to measure wind speeds and other information.

EDF public exhibitions:

Puriton Village Hall, Riverton Road, TA7 8BP, 11am to 7pm, Monday, August 2.

East Huntspill New Village Hall, Church Road, TA9 3PQ, 10am to 8pm, Tuesday, August 3.

The Princess Hall, Burnham, TA8 1EH, 2pm to 8pm, Thursday, August 12.

Angel Place Shopping Centre, Bridgwater, TA6 3TQ, 9am to 5pm, Saturday, August 14.

The consultation runs to Friday, August 20, and residents can provide feedback at the exhibitions, online afterwards at www.edf-er.com, calling freephone 0800 169 6507, e-mailing consu ltation@withyendwindfarm.co.uk or by writing to Freepost Consultation Response (Withy End).