CONTROVERSIAL plans for wind farms on land owned by Somerset County Council have been criticised as "desperate" by West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger.

He said this week the scheme could see wind turbines on school playgrounds.

Mr Liddell-Grainger told the County Gazette: "It seems the council would be willing to allow wind farms on any of its land.

"This could mean schools and day centres."

He added: "The idea is absolutely ridiculous and smacks of a money-making scheme dreamed up in financial desperation."

The MP's broadside follows the announcement of the second stage of the council's Somerset Wind Energy Initiative, designed to drive down carbon emissions while driving up production of electricity from renewable energy towards a target set at 11 to 15%.

The council's executive board meets on July 26 at County Hall in Taunton to decide whether to press ahead with plans to investigate the installation of wind turbines on council-owned farms and to launch a large-scale public consultation on the issue before making key decisions.

If the board agrees, the council will select a wind energy developer and, once permission is granted, the developer would install and operate wind turbines and pay an agreed percentage of the revenue from electricity sales to the council.

Cllr Paul Buchanan, responsible for economic development on the county council, said: "We are committed to taking action to reduce the effects of climate change resulting from the burning of fossil fuels and in order to do this we must support the development of secure and sustainable supplies of energy.

"The most common renewable energy available in Somerset is wind energy."

Mr Liddell-Grainger said: "I am all for renewable energy but in the right place, but I will not stand by and see Somerset blighted just because the county council needs to raise some cash."