Ex-minister in turbine plan row

A row has broken out between former minister Sir John Nott and residents in a Cornish village over his plans to build two 82ft (25m) wind turbines.

The former defence secretary, 76, reportedly wants to halve the energy bill at his farm and holiday homes.

Residents opposed to the scheme at St Erth claim the turbines will be too noisy and spoil the landscape.

Sir John declined to comment on the plans for the turbines which could generate 25kw of electricity each year.

Councillor Mick Hanley said: "We should be encouraging green initiatives but there is clearly a weight of opposition to this - they are too big, in the wrong place and the plans are ambiguous."

If approved the turbines would sit on 60ft-high (18m) steel masts.

Penwith District Council is expected to discuss the application at a meeting on 18 November.