A COUNCILLOR is sounding the alarm over plans by Wiltshire Council to install a “huge, ugly” wind turbine between key historical sites.

The authority has lodged an application for an 18m high freestanding turbine at the High Post Salt Store in Amesbury.

Salisbury city councillor Andrew Suddards has branded the scheme a “towering blot on our beautiful countryside landscape” and advised the council to look at other options for renewable energy.

He added: “Erecting a huge tower at one of the highest hills in a historic area that sits between Salisbury Cathedral and Stonehenge is literally the height of muddled thinking by Wiltshire Council that does not understand how net zero pursuits need to be balanced.

“I hope others will join me in voicing objection.”

Fellow city councillor Annie Riddle is also encouraging residents to comment on the plans before the December 26 deadline.

She added: “It would be visible from miles around including Old Sarum monument. Some won’t mind this, others will.

“Parish councils in the Woodford Valley are objecting, as is the council’s own landscape officer.”

The landscape officer has placed a ‘holding objection’ on the scheme due to the lack of information and requested an appraisal to understand the extent of the turbine’s visual effects along with any mitigation measures that may be required, such as non-reflective blades.

The proposed turbine’s location. Photo: Wiltshire Council.

Historic England is also concerned about the turbine’s potential impact on several significant heritage assets including Stonehenge, Avebury and associated sites, Ogbury Camp, Old Sarum, the remains of Old Sarum Castle, Salisbury Cathedral and Heale House Park and Garden.

Inspector of ancient monuments Melanie Barge noted that the application did not meet national planning requirements. “The application is not supported with a Heritage Impact Assessment,” she said.

“As a result, the application fails to provide the required understanding in a level of detail proportionate to the assets’ importance and sufficient to understand the potential impact of the proposal on that significance.”