COUNCILLORS have been asked to decide if a 50m wind turbine should be erected in Barkisland.

The application has split local residents, with 33 letters of objection and 15 letters of support for the wind turbine plan for land south of Gosling Lane.

More the 40 points were listed as to why the application should be refused, the planning report shows.

One concern is the effect the turbine could have on local birdlife.

Clr Kay Barret (inset) said: “The application is best heard by Planning Committee as there are pros and cons with the proposed turbine, with the conflict between renewable energy and the adverse effect the turbine will have on the Greenbelt and the surrounding area.”

The proposal is to construct a 300kw wind turbine with a hub height of 50m on agricultural farmland within the Hazel Slack Farm estate.

It would have three blades with a rotor diameter of 33.4m and the height to blade tip is 67m.

But it’s on Greenbelt land off Saddleworth Road, which is currently used for grazing.

Among the objections, people described it as an eyesore, saying its size, scale and extent will dominate views from many points.

Others felt is would detrimentally affect the value of homes and village life.

The Calderdale Bird Conservation Group (CBCG) believe that the proposed wind turbine will cause disturbance to birds using the area by making them avoid the site, resulting in a major reduction in numbers of birds using the reservoir and surrounding area for breeding, feeding and roosting.

They say it will hamper efforts to encourage Little Ringed Plovers to nest and breed at the site and that it could also affect the wintering flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing.

But others write in support of the wind turbine, saying “renewable energy is the way we must progress to ensure our children’s future is upheld and as such it is necessary”.

Others say it won’t detract from the environment due to the number of pylons already in the area.

The application has been recommended for refusal by Calderdale planners, but councillors on the planning committee will be asked to decide on it on Tuesday.