AROUND 100 people attended a meeting to discuss their concerns over a proposed wind farm in the Blaenau Gwent.

Residents from Blaina, Cwmtillery, Nantyglo and Abertillery who attended the meeting at St Peter’s Church, Blaina, on Tuesday night, say they are totally opposed to a proposal to build four 328ft high turbines on a four hectare site on Mynydd James mountain between Cwmtillery and Blaina.

They say they are worried the turbines could pose health risks and will disturb what many believe is an unstable mountainside.

An application was originally submitted by Pennant Wind Energy Ventures Ltd for 24 turbines in November 2003, but it was scaled down to the four-turbine plan now up for debate.

Blaenau Gwent council deferred making a decision on the proposal until after a site visit and special meeting of the council where all interested parties, developer and residents can air their views.

Those who attended the meeting said they were concerned about the potential danger of the blades breaking off the turbines in high winds and expressed concern that if the plans get the go ahead many more turbines could be added to the mountainside in the future.

The group have now formed a committee and started a petition, which they hope to submit to the council in objection to the plans. They also plan to hold meetings in the surrounding wards to gain further support.

Chairman of the meeting, Rev Roger Hewett, said residents were prepared to fight against the proposals.

He said: “We will fight this tooth and nail and let them know that we are not going to let it happen at any cost.

“We have got to stand firm, this is not a time for apathy or standing back, we have to stand up for the Valleys.”