PLANS for two ‘community-sized’ wind turbines are dividing the rural community.

Almost 90 people have commented on plans to build two 77 metre high wind turbines on farmland between Kingswood and Wickwar.

The Resilience Centre, a sustainable development company, has submitted two separate planning applications to Stroud District Council for one turbine on land at Mounteneys Farm and the other on land at Cherry Rock Farm.

The Resilience Centre is working in partnership with the farms’ owner Winston Howes.

Andrew Clarke, from The Resilience Centre, said the applications were for community-sized turbines, which would generate enough electricity each to power 225 local homes.

The application for the wind turbine at Cherry Rock Farm has attracted 88 comments alone from local people, though many of the comments make reference to both applications.

Of the 88 comments, 26 are in support of the green-energy scheme but an overwhelming 60 comments are objecting to the plans.

The majority of the objections express concern about the impact the wind turbines will have on the countryside and the neighbouring Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Barry Lumsden, from Wickwar, said: "I object to the proposed planning request as I believe that it will cause a visual blight on the landscape and it will have an adverse impact on the nearby Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

Simon and Mairi Frith, from Hillesley, said: "Because of the large size of the turbine it would be visible from several miles around to the detriment of the local landscape with its well-known and well-loved views of the Cotswold scarp."

However, some people are supportive of the turbines proposals.

Eric George, from Wotton-under-Edge, said: "What this area needs is enterprising members of the community to embark on projects like this that will be of benefit to the whole community."

Mr Clarke acknowledged there was divided opinion in the local area.

He said: "Hopefully people will see the long term benefits of having renewable energy generated in their local area and having some benefits coming back."

To view the two applications in full visit www.stroud.gov.uk Stroud District Council’s planning officers are not due to make a decision on the applications before July.