A WIND farm plan for Litlington has not been backed by Royston Town Council despite a split in the planning committee.

Five 100m tall turbines could be built on Highfield Farm with the authority’s planning control committee voting 4-2 against it.

Among the members fighting the plan was Cllr Marguerite Phillips who feared the turbines could be the first of many built near Royston.

“If the farmer is allowed to diversify for mainly economical reasons then the whole area around Royston could be covered by swathes of turbines,” she said.

“If the people who live nearby do not want it in Litlington, how can this be supported?”

A position was backed by Cllr Martin Beaver who was concerned about the placement of turbines near homes and called for more off-sea projects.

Veteran councillor F John Smith was unconcerned however, saying he did not think it would infringe on Royston’s landscape but recognised there was “considerable difference of opinion in terms of views”.

The town council will discuss the proposal at a later date, but as the turbines will be in South Cambridgeshire the body hold no sway over the decision.

An action group has been formed by villagers to try and block the plans and Phil Jones of The Stop Litlington Wind Farm Action Group addressed the councillors.

He said the turbines would “blight the landscape for generations to come”, disrupt views from Therfield Heath, set a precedent for more wind farms and disputed wind speed data used by the developer.

Summing up he said: “We urge you to oppose this damaging application and preserve this outstanding landscape that the residents of Royston and the surrounding area cherish so highly.”

Bassingbourn Parish Council voted against the plan on Tuesday, which follows a decision made not to back the proposal by Steeple Morden Parish Council.

The Highfield Wind Farm is the brainchild of farmer Ralph Parker who is working with renewable energy consultants Engena.

He told The Crow: “It’s hard to say why people object to it but I’m not surprised, I think it is fear of the unknown.”