CAMPAIGNERS opposing the building of a mountainside wind farm in Blaenau Gwent have raised more than £4,000 towards funding an environmental expert to fight their case at a public inquiry.

Campaign group Save Coity and Mynydd James (SCAM) are halfway towards their £8,000 target and say they are confident they will reach the milestone ahead of the inquiry, which will be held later this month.

They are opposing Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd’s plans to build four 328-foot high turbines on Mynydd James, between Cwmtillery and Blaina.

The inquiry is being held because the developer appealed against Blaenau Gwent council’s decision to throw out the application in January last year.

SCAM, which is formed of more than 100 local residents, opposes the proposals due to concerns over the stability of the site, visual impact, potential negative effect on tourism, noise pollution and threat to wildlife.

They have hired environmental expert Geoff Sinclair, from Pembrokeshire, to present their case at the inquiry and have been fundraising since October last year to cover his costs.

Fundraisers, including quizzes and a raffle, have been held and generous donations have flooded in from members - with more promised for the next few weeks.

SCAM chairman Jeff Price said: "We are looking like we will meet our target just ahead of the inquiry.”

Four members of SCAM also plan to speak at the inquiry.

Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd, which is working on the project with Eco2 Ltd, says the windfarm would bring £2million-worth of jobs and meet over 40 percent of the area’s renewable energy targets by generating 5.2 mega watts of electricity.

The inquiry, which it is thought will last six days, will begin on April 27 at the Blaina Evangelical Hall.