LEGISLATION aimed at controlling the distance between wind farms and the nearest homes will be presented by a Worcestershire MP at the House of Commons.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff, who has been in talks with residents on the proposed Lenches/Bishampton wind farm in his constituency, will introduce the Onshore Wind Turbines (Proximity of Habitation) Bill on Tuesday, November 3.

Using the so-called 10- minute rule procedure, Mr Luff will speak for up to 10 minutes making the case for his Bill to proceed to the next stage. Mr Luff said: “It is my limited intention to raise the aesthetic and environmental concerns associated with large wind turbines when they are located too close to homes. I happen to be a keen exponent of alternative and renewable energy sources, but feel strongly that onshore wind farms are only appropriate where their visual and environmental impact on open countryside is acceptable.

“Government policy on this issue is vague, giving little protection to local communities who have legitimate objections.”

We previously reported how Scottish Power is still looking to formulate plans for five wind turbines to be installed on land near the Worcestershire villages of Harvington, Church Lench, Norton and Lenchwick, despite fierce opposition from residents and Mr Luff. A planning application for that could be submitted to Wychavon District Council next month.

Mr Luff said: “I had originally suggested a blanket one kilometre buffer zones, but after talking to local residents and my colleagues in the Commons, I will propose that smaller turbines should be at least half a mile from habitation, medium-sized ones a mile, and the largest turbines 1.5 miles.

“I hope that imposing these limits would lead to those applications coming forward being inherently less objectionable and therefore attracting less local opposition. This makes no judgement about the merits of onshore wind, or on the bigger issues.”