THE fate of a proposal to build a wind farm in Blaenau Gwent hangs in the balance as valley planners fail to make a decision on the scheme.

Protestors against the proposal to build four wind turbines on Mynydd James mountain between Cwmtillery and Blaina, say the 328ft high turbines will disturb what many feel to be an “unstable mountainside” and could end in a disaster like Aberfan.

Ystruth Primary school lies at the foot on the mountain on the Blaina side and parents say they are “sick with worry” that vibrations from the turbines could trigger a landslip.

At yesterday’s Blaenau Gwent Council planning committee meeting, councillors voted in favour to defer on decision making until after a site visit and a special meeting of the council where all interested parties, developer and residents, could air their views.

The recommendation of councillor officers had been to approve the proposal in principle and refer to the Assembly to make the final decision.

During the meeting at Ebbw Vale civic centre, Badminton Councillor Brian Scully, who was born and brought up in Blaina, put forward a recommendation to turn the application down there and then, saying he knows the mountain to be unstable.

“I think we should not waste any time,” he said. “Blaenau Gwent has borne the scars of the coal and steel industry for years and now its time to enjoy the beautiful countryside and not have it blighted by a wind farm.”

But Cwmtillery councillor Delwyn Davies put forward the motion to deferrer in favour of a site visit to ensure that the council could not be accused of not being “open and transparent” in considering the application.

After the meeting, more than 50 residents who had packed the public gallery to listen to the debate, were gearing up to have their say at the special meeting.

Lesley Wedgbury, 58 of Tanglewood, Blaina said: “I am greatly against the proposal, I think it’s an unsuitable location for a wind farm with the mountain being so unstable. The last thing we want is a landslide and I’m living in constant fear that there could be another Aberfan disaster if this goes ahead.”

Helen Jones, 42, is another Tanglewood residents. She said: “I’m all for alternative sources of power but I don’t think this is a safe place for turbines.”

Irene Hucker, 63 of Tanglewood said she has a granddaughter at Ystruth school and would is “sick with worry” that the application will be granted.

A site visit for the planning committee is be arranged in the next fortnight, with a special meeting being called within a month.

Protestors against the proposal are holding a public meeting to discuss their concerns on Tuesday at 8pm at St Peters Church, Blaina.