AN ACTION group has been set up in response to the controversial proposal to build a wind farm near the M48.

Several residents in Ingst and neighbouring villages have pulled together to oppose REG Windpower’s plans to erect three turbines on land only metres from their homes.

Despite REG Windpower’s claims that a farm would generate enough electricity to power 3,600 properties, they fear the scheme would do more harm than good to the area.

South Gloucestershire councillor and action group member Sarah Pomfret owns a horse breeding business just 250 metres away from the wind farm’s proposed location. She is concerned about the detrimental effect the noise pollution would have on her studs.

She said: "If they go ahead with the plan I will have to close my business.

"The turbines would be far too close to the properties and it’s in a green belt. It’s just wrong."

Action group member Ian Thompson, of Ingst Hill, also raised concerns about the size of the turbines.

He said: "I am not anti-wind turbine but each turbine would be 80 metres high and with the blades they would reach over 120 metres.

"And they will be right outside our front doors. I will live only 620 metres away from the furthest turbine."

According to Mr Thompson, the issue of noise pollution, along with many others, has not been properly explained to the residents.

He added: "The noise problem is not clear. The company had an exhibition last week but I don’t think people really know what’s going on."

South Gloucestershire councillor for the Severn ward Matthew Riddle said: "The issue here is that the turbines would be really close to people’s homes and I have yet to be convinced that it is the right place.

"My concern is that it is a green belt area and that it would really damage the landscape, compared to the relatively small amount of electricity it would actually produce."

However, REG Windpower said that the majority of people attending the recent exhibition seemed in favour of the plans.

Development manager for the project Sophie Hartfield said: "Overall the reaction was positive. We are planning to run trips to a working wind farm to allow people to get an idea of how wind turbines look and sound up close."

Regarding equestrian activity outside the proposed site, she added: "There is ample evidence to show that horses and wind turbines can co-exist perfectly well.

"The UK’s first commercial wind farm at Delabole in Cornwall was sited on land also home to a thriving stud farm."