CONSERVATIONISTS hoping to open a nature reserve near a proposed wind farm have united with other plan protesters.

Birdsedge Countryside Project (BECP) have been developing Birdsedge Nature Reserve, off Dearne Dyke Lane which includes wheelchair access.

Pure Renewable Energies are hoping to erect build four 360ft (110m) wind turbines on farmland at nearby Windmill Lane.

But BECP says a turbine near the reserve will act as a ‘massive scarecrow’ frightening away birds and ruining 12 years of work on the site.

The team also has ‘severe reservations’ about another of the four turbines.

Steve Sellars, of BECP, said: “Are the consultants suggesting that we give up on 12 years’ hard work and abandon the project?

“They obviously have not researched the amount of work that has already gone into creating our habitat.

“The development is well under way. It’s nowhere near finished but many of the trees are already nearing a mature height, especially those next to the field in which turbine two would go and it is incredible that they have ignored our maturing trees in their assessment.

“The developers seem to be ignoring us as if we were not there, apparently treating us with the same disregard as the residents whose lives would be ruined by this development.”

The conservationists join Bolt (Birdsedge and district Opposition to Large Turbines) in opposition to the wind farm.

Bolt this week sent an official letter of opposition to the plans to Kirklees Council.

Over 300 letters have so far been sent to Kirklees Council, Bolt says.

The group is concerned the turbines – about one-third the height of Emley Moor Mast – would be less than 500 metres from housing and within 600 metres of the village primary school.

Bolt chairman Sue Steeples added: “They will dominate the village of Birdsedge and the nearby historically important former Quaker settlement with its many listed buildings.

“The area is in Green Belt and part of it is also designated as a conservation area.

“Residents and those using the area for recreation, school, church or business will suffer from the noise and shadow flicker these turbines cause.”

A public consultation for the plans ends on August 25.

For more information on Bolt visit: www.birdsedge.co.uk/bolt.htm