D-Day in Silton wind turbines battle

Angry protesters were due to voice their opposition today to six giant wind turbines planned for a rural beauty spot near Madonna's former country estate.

Green energy firm Ecotricity plans to build the 120m turbines near Silton, Gillingham in Dorset.

North Dorset District Council's planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval and a development control committee will make a final decision today.

Around 200 residents were to protest outside the meeting in the Olive Bowl conference centre, Gillingham, with a handful due to speak against the scheme.

The campaigners, who go under the name Save Our Silton, have already sent almost 2,000 letters of objection.

They argue the wind turbines are only 550m away from the nearest four houses which will suffer unbearable noise disturbance.

It will damage tourism in the area, especially to some of the nearest houses which offer bed and breakfast and holiday lets.

The turbines will tower over the landscape and ruin the views from nearby Cranborne Chase, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where Madonna and Guy Ritchie used to live.

The pop singer reportedly handed over Ashcombe House, near Tollard Royal, to film director Ritchie as part of their divorce settlement.

Christopher Langham, chairman of Save Our Silton, said: "We are in favour of renewable energy and don't object to wind farms in the right place."

But, he added: "The character of this beautiful landscape will be changed and the views from the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be spoilt.

"Most importantly, the nearest houses are less than 550m away from the turbines.

"At that distance residents will not only have the turbines looming over them but they will suffer disturbance and risk sleep deprivation as a result of the noise."

He said: "Few people seeking peace and quiet are going to want to stay next to a wind turbine for a week, so employment will suffer and the families concerned will lose their livelihoods.

"We say that turbines should be sited where it's windy and other technologies such as bio-gas, bio-mass and bio-oil schemes, which are much less intrusive, should be used in beautiful rural counties like Dorset."