The plans have met with some opposition

Proposals have been put forward for 20 floating pontoons - each housing four wind turbines - in Burnham on Sea's Bridgwater Bay to harness energy from the wind, tide and waves.

The energy from the platforms - 200 metres wide by 70 metres tall - would be converted into electricity via underground generators.

The proposals follow a �50,000 study in June into the 'total energy extractors'.

'New energy sources'

But local councillor Neville Jones, whose home overlooks the bay, says the towers would be an eyesore and a possible hazard to shipping.

"We get a lot of people here mooring their boats and going across to Wales."

Dr Robert Kirby , who developed the proposals, told the BBC: "The platforms would be a long way out to sea, and would merge into the landscape. And we need new sources of energy.

"We have made our initial investigations and have found nothing to lead us to think we should stop now; which is how engineering works."

The platforms would also protect the coastline by acting as a buffer against the tides.

The Environment Agency has backed the idea, which now requires a further study expected to cost up to �500,000.