Villagers fear their homes could be devalued if plans for an adjacent wind farm is given the green light.

Grange Moor farmer Stuart Searby has applied to Kirklees Council for permission to erect a pair of 25m (75ft) tall turbines on his land at Grange Ash Farm, just off Wakefield Road, to the rear of the Kaye’s Arms pub.

But the proposal has been opposed by neighbours who fear the turbines will be a noisy eyesore.

Residents also fear that a ‘warren of mine-shafts’ below the site would make the land unstable.

Video Loading

And following a report by the London School of Economics (LSE) villagers fear the potential disamenity will cause house prices to fall.

The LSE study, which examined the sale of over one million homes over 12 years, found that homes within 1.2 miles of large wind farms lost 11% of their value.

For example, a property valued at £250,000 could lose £27,500.

Neighbours fear up to half of the properties in Grange Moor could be devalued if Kirklees councillors grant Mr Searby planning permission.

Ray Franks, of Grange Moor Community Association, says this could lead to the council tax re-banding of homes in the borough.

Mr Franks said: “We might end up paying less council tax but it’s a small consolation.

“It’s going to reduce the value and saleability.

“Kirklees could be inundated with band changes and that could cost them a lot of money.”

Mr Franks added: “In Grange Moor they’re springing up everywhere. You can’t turn around without seeing them.

“There’s a visual impact and a cumulative impact... We’re being surrounded by them.

“I’m not opposed to turbines per se if they are in the right place but they are getting far too close to properties.”

In 2010, Kirklees Council planners rejected a proposal to install two 47.5m high windmills at Grange Ash Farm.

This followed a campaign against the plan by residents and Dewsbury MP Simon Reevell.

Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.

Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here

To follow us on Twitter click here