A PLAN for a 40m high wind turbine in a Suffolk village which faced objections from the parish council and the Ministry of Defence has been withdrawn.

Mr John and Lawrence Spink had applied to build the 60kW turbine in the parish of Great Ashfield, in Wetherden, at Willow Farm.

The owners wanted to reduce their carbon emissions and the energy bills of the farm.

But the MoD objected because it argued the turbine would cause “unacceptable interference” to Air Traffic Control at RAF Honington, near Bury St Edmunds.

In its response to the plans, the MoD said the turbine could cause the radar station to fail to pick up an incoming aircraft.

The MoD’s response said: “Controllers use the radar to separate and sequence both military and civilian aircraft, and, in busy uncontrolled airspace, radar is the only sure way to do this safely.

“The creation of ‘false’ aircraft displayed on the radar leads to increased workload for both controllers and aircrews, and may have a significant operational impact.”

Great Ashfield Parish Council also objected. The council sent a flyer around the village which was then returned to the council.

Parish chairman Sarah Orford said: “No-one contacted the council in favour. Some people mentioned wildlife issues.

“I think the visual impact would be the biggest concern.

“Some people mentioned its proximity to listed buildings, but it is in quite an open area. People expressed their views fully throughout.

“People were aware of it. We have had various phone calls and letters for the parish council.”

The prospective owners estimated the turbine would generate more than 152kWh of electricity and would save about 80 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Halton Planning Services, the agent for the owners of Willow Farm, declined to comment, except to say that there were ongoing talks with Mid Suffolk District Council over the proposal.