MOVE over The Shard – two new towering landmarks now cast a shadow over the Suffolk countryside with the building of some of the tallest wind turbines in the country.

The two turbines which stand at 130metres have been erected on Eye Airfield industrial estate – but the giant structures have faced criticism from the town council.

Andrew Evitt, an Eye town councillor, said: “Wind turbines are a huge intrusion in Suffolk. It’s virtually impossible to look across Eye without seeing them – they are incredibly intrusive. I have a huge problem with them, they are a complete waste of space and a huge waste of money.

“I find the whole think totally absurd. I think they should have never been built. I have just given up, it is pointless, really, to try and fight these things.”

Eye’s mayor, Merlin Carr, said the town council had voted against the turbines.

“I think it’s a reasonable place to set them being on the industrial estate,” he said.

“But I think, in common with a lot of people, in terms of the height of the turbines, I do not agree with them being so high. The energy could have been provided in other ways – through other forms of renewable – solar or a small number of much less obtrusive turbines.”

The turbines, which have been built for vehicle rental firm The Roy Humphrey Group, are due to be operational in a month.

Carl Humphrey, spokesman for the group, said “thousands of homes and businesses” would benefit from the turbines.

He said: “We have not been made aware of any concerns by anybody. A lot of people have said they are ‘cool’ and in the right place in an industrial area.

“It’s an assumption that we have put up the turbines to get free electricity. Most people are happy to have them here.

“The turbines allow us to control our costs for the next 25 years in a market which is troubled and at a time when businesses are going to the wall. It will cover up to 80% of our electricity usage.

“Solar panels would have been a danger to motorists on the A140 with the glare of the sun. We would never have got permission because of the safety hazards.”

Energy company Triodos Renewables, which is behind the project, said the 2.5megawatt turbines will generate enough electricity for almost 3,000 homes.