A FARMER is proposing to donate five per cent of the income generated by two large wind turbines to the people of the village... but only if he is granted planning permission.

Chris Attle has applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council for permission to install two 75m wind turbines on Red Hill Farm, Cambridge Road, Stretham, an arable and beef farm.

The blades of the two turbines will stretch to 54m in diameter and, at maximum capacity, the turbines will be capable of generating enough power for hundreds of homes. Construction could take up to three months should permission be granted.

In a statement to East Cambridgeshire District Council, the applicant’s agents, said: “The initiative will benefit the community as the landowner plans to donate five per cent of generated income, annually, to Stretham Parish Council, to be spent as it wishes.

“The turbine will become a part of the landscape and, after a short time, neighbours will become accustomed to the sight of it.

“The applicant considered a wind turbine to be a relatively low level of intrusiveness compared with alternative forms of power generation.”

The applicant did acknowledge, however, that the component parts of the turbine were “large and heavy”.

A decision is expected on the plans within the next eight weeks.