CAMPAIGNERS opposing a mountainside wind farm in Blaenau Gwent say they will be able to fund an environmental expert to fight their case after a local group have offered financial backing.

Save Coity and Mynydd James (SCAM) are halfway towards their £8,000 target to pay for environmental expert Geoff Sinclair to present their case opposing the plans.

But now the group say they have the backing of Nantyglo and Blaina Commoners Association, who support their campaign, to fund any shortfall they have.

The plans, which are being proposed by Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd, are 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 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.

The group have so far raised £4,200 with more fundraising events planned.

SCAM chairman, Jeff Price, who is also a member of Nantyglo and Blaina Commoners Association said farmers in the group were also wanting to oppose the plans but were unsure whether they would be able to be present at the inquiry.

They had therefore agreed to back SCAM in the inquiry through funding.

He said: “We have still got fundraising events of our own planned but we now know that the association will fund whatever shortfall we have so we will definitely be presenting our case at the inquiry.

Blaenau Gwent Council expects fighting its case against the appeal will cost tax-payers more than £100,000.

Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd, which is working on the project with Eco2 Ltd, says the windfarm would bring £2 million 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 will begin on April 27 at the Blaina Evangelical Hall.