A VILLAGE campaign to stop a wind turbine could end in failure.

Dozens of residents in Barkisland have objected to the plans for the 34-metre turbine on green belt land in Scammonden.

But the proposal by a local farmer could well get the support of Kirklees Council’s Huddersfield planning committee, which meets this afternoon.

Planning officers have recommended approval of the plan.

They say that there are already similar structures in the area – including the TV and radio masts at Pole Moor.

But that argument is unlikely to go down well with people who will see the mast across the district boundary in Barkisland in Calderdale.

More than 70 of them have submitted protest letters about the plans from Edward Fairbank.

He wants the turbine to help improve the viability of a farming business.

Mr Fairbank has indicated he plans to set up a new beef herd, rear sheep and introduce arable crops.

His application says the power generated by the wind turbine would substantially reduce energy costs for the farm business.

The planned wind turbine would be on land at Mount Pleasant Farm, just to the south of Scammonden Bridge, which carries Saddleworth Road over the M62 at Scammonden, on land which is currently in the green belt.

The application states that the proposed site is about 130m south of the M62 on open fields off Saddleworth Road.

The nearest houses are some 200m away.

The report to planners says: “Income generated from the turbine through feed-in tariffs would provide seed capital and a reliable income to invest in developing the applicant’s own farming business – purchasing new equipment, livestock and building new high-welfare livestock buildings.

“These are essential to the future prosperity of the new business venture, enabling it to succeed in the long term.”

The concerns of local residents have been taken up by Tory councillor Donna Bellamy.

She has urged councillors on the planning committee to carry out a site visit before making any decision on the wind turbine.

She said the application had generated a considerable level of local interest. It was a plan which would sit within the green belt and close to a tourist attraction in Scammonden Water.

But planners urge councillors to back the plan, saying it would have only a “modest” impact on the green belt and the benefits to the environment would outweigh the concerns.