RESIDENTS in a Monmouthshire village are among those to voice their fears over plans to put up a 46 metre-high wind turbine on farmland near Monmouth.

Jeremy Bayliss, of Lower Pen y Clawdd Farm at Dingestow has been met with strong opposition over his proposal to put up a wind turbine on land known as the Milking Folds on his 12-acre sheep farm.

Mr Bayliss wants to use the electricity created from the turbine to run his farm to make it more sustainable, both environmentally and financially. The farm uses 40,000kwhrs of energy a year, the equivalent to supplying 25 homes a year . Any surplus energy will be feed into the network, creating an additional income and securing the future of the business for future generations.

The renewable energy firm Dulas Limited, which will put the 50 KW turbine on grassland used for sheep grazing if permission is granted, expects to generate the equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 25 homes.

In a statement to planning officers the firm said the turbine will not unduly affect the character of the landscape and is not within any recognised international or national area protected for landscape, ecology, hydrology or archaeology.

However , locals say it will be visible from as far away as Raglan Castle, and is close to a Grade II-Listed farm with a Motte and Bailey at Trecastle and could harm tourism, create noise and set a precedent for similar schemes.

John Wright, of Pant Barn said the turbine will be visible for miles and that his greatest personal concern is the impact of noise in a quiet area.

John Clark and Mary Ward-Jackson of Pecarreg Farm, Kingcoed believe that at over 150feet tall the construction will dominate the landscape.

The couple, who are among the closest neighbours to the proposed site, argue that ‘it will be visible from the most prized walks in the Brecon Beacons, hence irreversibly diminishing a prized local asset.’

They added: “ This highly deleterious impact on the scenery would be caused to serve the stated electricity needs of just one farm. “

Cadw, the organisation that looks after historic monument is Wales, has no objections and NFU Cwmru is supporting the green energy scheme.

The application has yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council.