A councillor has united behind residents in criticism of plans for four wind turbines nearly twice the size of Ely Cathedral to be built to the north west of Aldreth.

Cambs Times: The view from Hill Row, HaddenhamThe view from Hill Row, Haddenham (Image: Archant)

The small hamlet, near Haddenham, will be “dwarfed” by the turbines which Councillor Hunt, councillor for the Stretham ward, claims will serve as a “scar on the landscape”.

Towering at up to 130m, the turbines would stand at nearly double the height of the 66m tall West Tower of Ely Cathedral.

Councillor Hunt said: “The over bearing matter is the sheer size of these turbines added to the fact the efficiency has yet to be proved. I think there totally inefficient and not effective.

“They take years to pay back and really only subsidies keep them going. I don’t think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.”

He added that he was not against the use of wind power if proved that it could be effective but felt that the evidence currently suggested their use was overshadowed by their visual effect on the countryside.

Instead Councillor Hunt suggested the use of solar power in the area. He said: “They are only two to six feet high and you can hardly see them.”

Aldreth resident, Jon Sanford is setting up a meeting of residents to gauge opposition to the proposed turbines.

Mr Sanford said “My opposition revolves around the visual impact on the landscape.

“Other people oppose the site for different reasons. Some people are worried about noise levels; others are worried about solar flicker.”

Also in opposition to the turbines is MP for South-East Cambridgeshire, Sir Jim Paice, who Mr Sanford says, has offered support to his campaign.

REG Windpower, the company behind the proposed turbines, has this week entered a planning application to erect a 61.5 metre high anemometer, which measures wind speed, on the site.

It is thought a formal planning application for the turbines will follow in 2014.

If the application is approved, REG has said a community fund would be established, worth £36,000 per year for the lifetime of the wind farm.