Villagers' protest at wind meter

Villagers in an area of Leicestershire are concerned about plans by a district council to install a wind meter.

Harborough District Council said people were free to air their views, but "there aren't any significant planning reasons why it should not be approved".

Residents of Ashby Magna, the village nearest the site, were concerned the wind meter would lead to a wind farm being built in the near future.

Councillor John Everett said the meter was not a prelude to a wind farm.

'Cannot deliver'

Villagers told BBC Radio Leicester they were worried it could lead to the value of their houses dropping and increased traffic.

Resident Candy Smith said she was not against alternative energy, but wind meters were not right for the area.

She said the government should subsidise solar panels for people's roofs instead.

Earlier this year, villagers in Swinford near Lutterworth protested against proposals to build a wind farm nearby.

Keith Kilbane, chairman of the Swinford Windfarm Group, said: "Having done quite a lot of research, we are saying they should not be in anybody's backyard.

"They cannot deliver what they are supposed to deliver."