CAMPAIGNERS trying to halt plans for Suffolk's first in-shore wind farm are furious after 150 of their posters were taken down in the dead of night.Police are now investigating the theft of the posters which had been put up around the Great Glemham and Parham area near Framlingham, protesting about plans for a wind farm at Parham airfield.

By David Lennard

CAMPAIGNERS trying to halt plans for Suffolk's first in-shore wind farm are furious after 150 of their posters were taken down in the dead of night.

Police are now investigating the theft of the posters which had been put up around the Great Glemham and Parham area near Framlingham, protesting about plans for a wind farm at Parham airfield.

Many of the posters were erected by members of NOWAP - No Wind Farm at Parham - who last night slammed those responsible. Saxon Windpower, the company behind the wind farm plans, has also condemned any vandalism of the posters.

It is believed they were stolen some time late on Saturday night or early yesterday morning.

NOWAP spokesman John Constable, of Great Glemham, said: "The vast majority were on private land, so their theft also involved trespass and criminal damage, including damage to hedges.

"Only one poster has been recovered and many of the stakes have been removed, others have been left smashed."

Mr Constable added: "We considered the possibility that the high wind had caused the damage, but the disappearance of the stakes and posters makes this impossible.

"This morning, broken posts were found on the opposite side of the road to the direction of the wind. Clearly this cannot be wind damage," he said.

The incident has been reported to Suffolk police, who have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

Mr Constable said: "NOWAP condemns these acts of theft and vandalism. We shall, of course, be replacing all of the posters."

Saxon Windpower's proposal for up to six 100-metre high wind turbines at Parham Airfield has divided the opinion of people living in the area.

Anyone with information about the missing posters should call Pc Peter Haig at Leiston police station on 01986 835400.

Meanwhile, Saxon Windpower arranged for a coach to take residents from the Parham area to see the wind turbine at Swaffham in Norfolk on Saturday.

Julia Holdcroft, the Ipswich-based company's marketing manager, said about 25 people took up the offer, adding: "We are very grateful that people living in the Parham area took the trouble to see a working wind turbine for themselves.

"We will also be arranging for another trip to see a wind farm near Hull in the future so local residents can see what is being proposed at Parham."

A number of local residents told the EADT that they had been impressed by what they had seen at Swaffham.

Frances Chandler, 60, who lives in Parham, said it had helped "settle her mind" on the issue.

"I think it was a real eye opener for those of us that went to Swaffham.

"There was a bit of a swishing noise when you were right up close to the turbine but there was no problem when you moved a short distance away," she said.

Alan Foster, of Wickham Market, said he had been impressed by how the people of Swaffham had come to be so "very positive" about the wind turbines in their community.

Sheila Stocker, of Framlingham, said: "The trip confirmed my opinion regarding the suitability of wind turbines."