Dr Andrew MurrisonVILLAGERS in south Wiltshire who are protesting at plans to put up two wind turbines in neighbouring Somerset, have enlisted the support of their MP.

They say the giant structures will be visible from the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs area of outstanding natural beauty in which they live.

MP Andrew Murrison, whose Westbury constituency includes Mere, the Knoyles and Stourhead, famous for the National Trust's Stourhead House and Gardens and Alfred's Tower, was in East Knoyle on Friday to meet protesters.

Bridget Howard-Smith, who lives in West Knoyle and is a member of the Save the Vale Action Group, said the turbines, which are to be sited at Symphony Farm, in Cucklington, near Wincanton, Somerset, would be 65 metres high and visible from miles around.

She said: "They are inappropriate in this landscape, which cannot take such dominant features.

"We have no pylons, just a beautiful undulating landscape, and these structures will be an eyesore.

"They will look even worse when the trees are not in leaf."

The planning application to South Somerset district council has been made by renewable energy company Ecotricity, of Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Dr Murrison said EU directives required Britain to cut back on the proportion of power from fossil fuels.

"We would all sign up to alternative fuels for a raft of reasons but it should not result in the despoliation of unique and highly treasured countryside such as this," said Dr Murrison.

"I am not against wind turbines, but we have to ensure, as with any power station, that we site them in appropriate locations, and it's very obvious this is not appropriate."

Mrs Howard-Smith said she feared that, if it could be proved there would be a reduction in carbon dioxide, the government would allow wind turbines "to be put anywhere".

She said there were other forms of renewable energy available and said she had had to find out about the planning application from friends, despite Ecotricity claiming it had carried out extensive public consultation.

Dr Murrison said: "I have sent my objection to South Somerset district council and I shall continue my opposition in every way.

"The liberalisation of planning guidance that we have seen from the government in the recent past will provide a more permissive environment for companies like Ecotricity to despoil our unique landscape.

"It's likely that we may have these giant monster turbines in Wiltshire in the not-too-distant future, unless we make a stand."