Residents who successfully campaigned against a Warwickshire windfarm have been left reeling after a new plan was announced.
RES Energy is launching a fresh bid to build four wind turbines in the Swift Valley, where residents under the banner ASWAR (Against Subsidised Windfarms Around Rugby) fought for two years against previous proposals.
The firm is planning to reduce the number of turbines from nine to four and build them further away from villagers’ homes.
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But members of ASWAR are already forming their defence, saying their fight against the original plans from SSE (formerly Scottish and Southern Electric) is about to be relived.
Chairman of the campaign Lorne Smith said: “They’ve announced that they’re going to have another go at us.
“They’ll dress it up saying ‘we’re a lovely company doing lots of lovely things and saving the world’ and they’ve said they’re reducing the number to four turbines, but at this point we don’t know the full details but I imagine they’ll still be the same size – five times the height of the church spire.
“It’s devastating for us. We’ve spent two years under the cosh.
“We have a real heritage beauty spot here that is going to be ruined if they put turbines in. “
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ASWAR, which has labelled the proposals a “windfarm scam” claims more than 90 per cent of the community is against the plan.
The last protest, which went on for two years, saw 80 campaigners take to the steps of Rugby town hall as well as forming a picket outside the consultation exhibition.
RES claims the turbines could produce enough energy to power 5,500 homes.
Dan Patterson, project manager, said: “We are fully committed to open and frank public consultation and there will be many opportunities for local people to learn more about our proposals as they evolve and to make their views known.”
The firm will consult with the borough and parish councils and residents before submitting a planning application later in the year.