A VILLAGE action group has called for a halt on wind turbines being built in Huddersfield.

Shelley Action Group (SAG) say it is concerned about public safety after nine-metre turbine blades flew off three windmills in Hepworth and Upper Cumberworth in January’s gale-force winds.

Kirklees Council has already suspended planning applications for the 10 kilowatt wind turbines manufactured by Brighouse company Evoco.

But SAG says it is not enough and is calling on the suspension to be extended to all types of wind turbines until tests confirm they are all safe.

The group are particularly concerned after a recent raft of applications for wind turbines in Shelley.

Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell has echoed their concerns.

But Kirklees Council leader Mehboob Khan said just because there was a problem with one type of turbine, does not mean there’s a problem with all of them.

There are 10 different types of wind turbine being used in the Kirklees area.

Clr Khan said: “The suspension of consideration of planning applications for a particular model of turbine was as a result of three separate incidents occurring during a single adverse weather event.

“This approach cannot be justified for all wind turbines regardless of their manufacturer. No authority could place a blanket ban on all planning applications for wind turbine development. If central government were to advise a moratorium on all turbine applications we could – but we cannot break the law.

“We have reviewed all pending applications for turbines to assess their safety.