Nearly 300 people attended a public meeting to galvanise opposition to controversial proposals for a huge wind turbine on land near Ipswich.

East Anglian Daily Times: A packed public meeting at Pinewood Community hall to hear the debate on the controversial proposals for a 130m high wind turbine on farmland at Wherstead, near Ipswich.A packed public meeting at Pinewood Community hall to hear the debate on the controversial proposals for a 130m high wind turbine on farmland at Wherstead, near Ipswich. (Image: Archant)

Both South Suffolk MP Tim Yeo and prospective Labour candidate Jane Basham spoke out against the proposals for the 130metre tall turbine on privately-owned land at Pannington Farm, Wherstead.

The meeting – held at Pinewood Community Hall, Ipswich – was told the structure could affect thousands of residents living within two kilometres of its site, and those closest could suffer unnecessary noise and light flicker.

It would also blight the area for the many people who use it for recreation, including walkers, runners, cyclists, horse riders and birdwatchers.

Mr Yeo said he would be writing a letter of objection to Babergh District Council highlighting the “overwhelmingly strong public opinion against this proposal” and would continue his objection if the issue ended up going to appeal.

Ms Basham said many people she had spoken to in the constituency were not against wind turbines or green energy.

She said: “What I do know is that other than a few crumbs from the Section 106 money there is no community benefit to this proposal.

“It will be the landowners and energy companies that benefit directly from any loss of amenity not the people affected by it.

“If wind turbines are one way forward, I want to see a community-owned cooperative approach to green energy here to make sure that local people secure real benefits such as lower energy bills.

“I support the Stop Ipswich Turbines group (SIT) and will work with them to raise awareness of its impact and lobby against it.”

Peter Evans, chairman of SIT, who organised the meeting along with Belstead, Pinewood and Wherstead parish councils, said he was very pleased with the significant turnout and support from residents.

Babergh Green Party though has welcomed the Pannington Farm turbine.

Robert Lindsay, co-ordinator of Babergh Green Party, said: “All the scare-mongering about these turbines is not borne out by reality.

“I happen to think these streamlined giants are a beautiful solution to the problem of producing clean energy and personally would welcome one in my backyard.

“Protestors and councillors and MPs who say ‘not in my backyard’ need to say how they will save the save the energy or cut the demand for the energy that the turbine would have generated.”

People have until February 28 to give their views to Babergh council on the proposals submitted by Partnership for Renewables.