Fighting fund to help Shropshire wind turbine campaigners
Residents fighting proposals for a wind turbine the height of Big Ben have set up a fighting fund to aid their cause.
The campaigners in Newnes, near Ellesmere, plan to set up a website and leaflet homes in the area in a bid to fight off plans for a 246ft tall turbine in nearby Tetchill.
It would be 426ft to the blade tip.
They have started a collection to fund their campaign and have so far collected about £150.
The turbine, which would be built on land off Ellesmere Road at Onston Farm, owned by Severn Sisters, is expected to generate up to 500kW of electricity – enough for 120 homes and businesses.
But the proposals have been met with fierce opposition by local residents.
They say it would be noisy, overpowering and a blot on the landscape, as well as de-value their homes.
About 50 people turned up to a public meeting last week and now campaigners have stepped up their fight.
Shropshire Councillor Ann Hartley said they will do all they can to stop the turbine being built.
She said: "We want to try to raise people's awareness of how big it is going to be.
"It will be as big as Big Ben on an approach road into Ellesmere that has a record of accidents and fatalities.
"We think it will cause a distraction to drivers and be a blot on the landscape.
"Local people will not benefit, it is all going to the National Grid and people are worried that it is too big and inappropriate for the village."
She added: "Residents feel so strongly that they want to do all they can."
A planning application has not yet been submitted but is expected to be drawn up in the coming months.
