CELIA WIGG An MP has put his political clout behind a campaign against a proposed wind farm amid claims that properties within a 2km “blight zone” will be devalued by at least 35 per cent if the turbines are built.

CELIA WIGG

An MP has put his political clout behind a campaign against a proposed wind farm amid claims that properties within a 2km “blight zone” will be devalued by at least 35 per cent if the turbines are built.

South Norfolk Tory MP Richard Bacon warned of damage to the “gentle rural landscape” if plans for seven wind turbines on the old Pulham Airfield site, near Diss, went ahead.

Mr Bacon's own home at Pulham St Mary comes within what protesters against the windfarm have dubbed a “blight zone” - but he stressed that was not the reason for his opposition and called for turbines to be built offshore instead.

Objectors claim that the if renewable power company SLP Energy goes ahead with the plan, 125m high structures would be visible from miles around. They are worried about the health impact of low frequency sound, and the potential effect on wildlife.

Mr Bacon said: “I have spoken out against building wind farms in a gentle rural landscape such as south Norfolk. I favour the development of large scale offshore wind farms where the wind velocity is far higher, where there are economies of scale from locating large numbers of wind turbines together, and where there is the added advantage that we don't have to look at them.”

Local Liberal Democrat councillors are attempting to deliver survey forms to every house in Dickleburgh, Rushall, Pulham Market and Pulham St Mary to help gauge public opinion.

SLP Energy is seeking consent to put up a meteorological mast on the land to establish whether enough wind is generated to make the development viable.

But villager Graham Moss, of Pulham St Mary, has produced a map showing properties affected by the “blight zone” which includes those in the village centre - and claims that there is evidence of noise and health problems caused by wind farms around the country

“House property values drop in the area around wind farms as soon as a scoping opinion is launched, which surveyors estimate at between 35-54 per cent depending on your type of house,” he said.

t A public meeting will be held at Dickleburgh Village Centre at 7pm on Wednesday July 25. Written comments should be submitted to South Norfolk Council by August 9.