VILLAGERS have slammed plans to build two massive wind turbines near to their homes.

Plans for the development on farmland near to the Kaye Arms pub at Wakefield Road, Grange Moor, include two 47.5m (155ft) tall turbines.

Mitie Asset Management Ltd wants to construct the Brown Hill Wind Energy Development at the edge of the rural village.

But those living nearby have described the plans as “monstrous”.

They are planning to oppose the plans by writing to Kirklees Council in a bid to block it.

Katie Bottomley, 38, whose family home at Greenfield Crescent is just 600 metres away from the planned development, said: “I think it’s a ridiculous idea and I know a lot people will be objecting to this.

“Our homes look out on to fields and pretty rolling countryside and now all we’re going to see is these two big monstrosities.”

The company applied to Kirklees Council last month to build the wind farm on the land at Grange Ash Farm.

In plans submitted to the council it says that the development would save up to 469 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.

It says that the turbines are large but concluded: “The turbines could be accommodated in the visual context of the wind energy development.

“This is largely due to the scale and characteristics of the receiving environment and other built influences of a vertical nature – including the nearby Emley Moor Mast.”

But Katie, who works for an environmental consultancy firm, believes the development would have a negative impact on the small village.

She said: “I’m all for renewable energy but not at a cost to the village.

“These turbines are massive and would be on top of a hill that has a 60ft incline, so they will be all many of us on our estate will be able to see when we look out the window.

“I think it will have an affect on our property prices.

“I also don’t think it’s right that it should be approved just because of Emley Moor Mast, because that’s been there forever and is hardly the same thing.”

Katie is also concerned about noise and potential safety risks of having wind turbines near her home.

She said: “The reason we moved up here was for a bit of peace and quiet, but now when we’re sitting out in the garden we’re going to hear the drone of wind turbines going round.

“Also when it snows ice can build up on the propellers and who knows what will happen if that starts flying off.

“It just seems as though some of these things have not been thought through.”

Public notices about the development are yet to go up and Katie says she only found out about it when she received a letter from the council days ago.

At the weekend villagers came together to share their concerns about the plans.

Katie now plans to register her objections and expects many residents to join her.

The public consultation period ends on July 13 when the application will be considered by planning officers.

Grange Moor is the latest village fighting off plans for wind turbines.

In Birdsedge, Pure Renewable Energy (PRE) wants to build four 125m (410ft) tall turbines.

The turbines – with 90m rotors – would be roughly just short of half the height of the Emley Moor Mast.

Several public meetings have been held and protest group Birdsedge and district Opposition to Large wind Turbines has already been formed.