TURBINES generating enough electricity to power more than 5,000 homes could start turning on a wind farm near Bicester.

Villagers are being asked for their thoughts on the plan which could see four turbines built on farm land in Fewcott.

Some neighbours have voiced concern about the idea, although others have suggested it would be a better option than a proposed waste incinerator in nearby Ardley.

Chesterfield-based Bolsterstone had already applied to Cherwell District Council to put up a 60m tall test mast, but said four turbines could be built to generate electricity for 5,380 homes.

Leaflets outlining the company’s plans have been given to residents living in nearby villages, including Ardley, Fritwell and Bucknell.

Director Mike Corker said if the wind farm was given the green light, some of the profits would be used to improve local facilities or improve energy efficiency in the community.

He said: “For each of the turbines built, £3,500 per year would be paid into a community benefit fund, making a total of £14,000 per year, or £350,000 over the 25-year life of the project.

“There have been a lot of searches going on over the country for suitable sites.We have probably come up, in three years, with only 10 we think that could be possible.

“Obviously, somewhere like a motorway corridor is helpful in that the regional spatial strategy for South East England already identifies this area as suitable in landscape terms for renewable energy projects.”

Jane Gibson-Harris, from East Street, in Fewcott, is yet to be convinced by the scheme. She said: “I am not overly happy about it. I am not convinced of the benefits and it would be too close to houses.”

But Jon O ‘Neill, chairman of the Ardley Against Incinerator Action group, which strongly opposes Oxfordshire County Council’s proposal to build a waste incinerator at Ardley, said given the choice of incineration or cleaner wind power, the group would favour the latter.

He said: “It is not right for us to comment on the proposed Fewcott wind farm but we can say that the Ardley Quarry Incinerator proposals are spectacularly not the way forward.”

Brian Steventon, chairman of Ardley and Fewcott parish council, said: “We feel we need Bolsterstone to address a number of issues. We are concerned lights from vehicles on the motorway, the service area and Ardley Football Club, could reflect against the turbine blades.”

A two-day public exhibition will take place at Ardley with Fewcott Community Hall, on Thursday, November 13, from 4pm until 8pm and on Friday, November 14, from 3pm until 7pm.

Chairman of Fritwell parish council Sheila Ultsch said: “The parish council will be going along to the exhibition and would encourage parishioners to do the same.

“We all need to be better informed.”

Cherwell District Council said it had received a planning application for a “test” mast to be installed for one year to evaluate wind resource.

Council spokesman Jo Smith said: “The proposal we have is for one mast only, 60m tall. The mast will be tied to the ground with guy wires.”

Bolsterstone said Fewcott has been considered to be a good location, because it has good wind speed, no aviation issues, no communication links issues, close to a grid connection, was an accessible site, not in a designated protected area and there would be limited visual impact.