RESIDENTS are trying to prevent a turbine being built on green belt land.

Councillors will decide next week if a windmill can be installed at Bank House Farm in Shelley.

Forty-three residents have written to Kirklees Council objecting to the plan for the 50-kilowatt turbine.

Their complaints include:

The turbine would have an adverse affect on Shelley Hall.

The windmill would cause a noise nuisance.

The proposal would harm property prices in the area.

Low-flying aircraft would be endangered by the turbine.

The turbine could be a safety risk due to mechanical failure and ice throw.

Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell has also objected to the proposal.

The Conservative wrote: “The proposed location of the wind turbine is close to Gryce Hall, a late Elizabethan farmhouse which is the former home of Lord Savile.

“Shelley Hall, a fine example of a 17th Century West Yorkshire yeoman’s house, is located approximately 300 metres from the proposed location.

“The surrounding area should be free of structures erected that have an unfavourable visual impact on these two historic buildings.”

Agent David Storrie Associates has written an 18-page document supporting the plan.

It concludes: “We have given very careful consideration to all the acknowledged interests of importance and have managed to site the structure in a position which is as reasonable as can possibly be in all aspects.

“The proposed position has been chosen to provide optimum wind generation whilst taking into account the important policy matters relating to the green belt including affect on its openness and affect on neighbouring residential properties.

“This turbine is to be used to provide power for the existing agricultural business. It will assist in the economic viability of the business and offset the ever-growing energy costs required to maintain a farm.

“In the current economic climate all businesses are struggling and the situation is exacerbated by the ever growing costs of energy.

“In effect this proposal supports an existing rural business and is to be encouraged so as to maintain and support the rural economy.”

However, council officers have recommended that the plan is refused permission because it would “detrimentally affect the landscape character and visual amenity” of the area.

The council’s Heavy Woollen Planning Sub-committee will rule on the proposal at its monthly meeting at Dewsbury Town Hall from 1pm on Thursday.