PLANS for a towering wind turbine in Caerphilly could get the go ahead next week at a council committee.

Applicant Fine Energy Ltd hopes to erect a turbine standing at 76.45m on land at Tyle Crwth, South West of Ynysddu.

The development will be placed on grazing land near Cwmfelinfach and Ynysddu and includes the construction of track access, an electric cabinet and a crane pad.

Natural Resources Wales initially objected to the turbine but withdrew their concerns after receiving new surveys in March, 21, 2016.

Despite this, the development has received widespread opposition, with a 307-strong petition and 33 emails and letters of objection.

Concerns include the turbine location being “overbearing and visually unacceptable" long-term health complaints in respect of epilepsy, tinnitus and anxiety and “noise nuisance”.

Other concerns include the fact that the owner does not live in the affected community and the prevalence of “shadow flicker,” a concern shared by Ynysddu councillor Jan Jones.

She said: “Shadow flicker is like a light going on and off at hundred miles an hour and unless you have blackout curtains it can affect you a lot.

“It’s very unsettling and I will be speaking at the planning committee about this.”

She added: “My concern is that it (the development) is over the top of the village with the sun at the back a lot of the time which may cause shadow flicker.

“Although we have been assured there will be no chance of this problem, developers say anything to get applications through the planning committee."

Ynysddu and Cwmfelinfach are the closest settlements to the turbine with potential views of the development, with some properties having view of an existing turbine at Bryn Ysgawen.

The planning report states that the “scale of the landscape is sufficient to accommodate the existing and proposed turbine”.

A noise impact statement outlines that if consent was granted, conditions would be imposed to control the level of noise, requiring it be modified, limited or shut down to comply with guidance.

Planning officers have recommended that the turbine goes ahead, subject to several conditions addressing highways, environmental and health concerns.

These conditions include the turbine being dismantled within 25 years from the date electric is first generated to the grid and the site being restored to its former state.

One condition also orders the developer to fit the turbine with a control system that automatically shuts down during times that shadow flicker occurs.

The application will be discussed at Penallta House council offices on Wednesday, June 8.