CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an onshore wind farm in Essex scored a victory yesterday after the power firm involved scrapped its original proposals.Npower Renewables had wanted to build 26 turbines near the historic St Peter's Church at Bradwell.

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an onshore wind farm in Essex scored a victory yesterday after the power firm involved scrapped its original proposals.

Npower Renewables had wanted to build 26 turbines near the historic St Peter's Church at Bradwell.

But yesterday the power firm unveiled scaled down plans for just ten energy generators after residents in the Bradwell area and beyond voiced their concerns.

The announcement comes six months after the Dean and Chapter at St Paul's Cathedral, which had consented to turbines being built on 1,000 acres of its land in the area, did a U-turn and withdrew its support.

But the reduced size of the proposed wind farm has not appeased some campaigners who have vowed to keep fighting plans.

Maldon District Council member for Bradwell and Tillingham Richard Dewick compared the reduction of turbines under the new plans to “having an abscess removed but still having toothache”.

The turbines, if built, would be capable of supplying power to 8,300 homes - equivalent to the energy needs of a third of the Maldon district.

Mr Dewick, an Independent councillor, added: “We are heading in the right direction with this but it is far from a victory. We have been slugging this one out and we shall continue to so.”

Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for North Essex, has been fighting the Npower proposals on behalf of some residents in West Mersea who fear the turbines will create significant noise disturbance.

Mr Jenkin said: “I want to see these new proposals and receive representations from my constituents.

“I remain to be convinced that these on-shore turbines are the right way forward.”

West Mersea Town Council chairman Alan Mogridge, however, said that, whilst some on the island were concerned and their views had to be respected, he welcomed the proposals adding: “We welcome anything which is safer and good for the environment. These modern turbines make hardly any noise.”

Vicky Portwain, project manager at Npower Renewables, said: “After taking on board views being expressed by local residents, discussions with various bodies and very detailed environmental work carried out by professional environmental consultants, significant changes have been made to the potential wind farm at Bradwell.

“We have reduced the size of the wind farm from the original plan for up to 26 turbines to ten, and now have an adapted project which we believe is sensitive to the area and which addresses many of the concerns which have been raised.”